NUSOJ Condemns Assassination Attempt Against Somali Photographer in Mogadishu

Mogadishu, April 10, 2015-The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns in the strongest terms possible the assassination attempt against a Somali journalist in Mogadishu’s Hodan district on Friday afternoon around 5:00pm local time, the latest in a string of violence against the media professionals in Somalia.

Armed gunmen believed to be Shabab members shot five times at Farhan Saleban Dahir, a young photographer at the state run radio Mogadishu and SNTV, near Casa Populare known as KPP in Hodan district around 5:00pm local time and the attackers fled the scene immediately. Farhan was rushed to Madian Hospital, where he is receiving treatment.

“The attackers shot five bullets,” Somali journalist Hussein Adan Ibrahim said, “Two bullets hit his chest, both arms were hit a bullet each, causing fracture to his left arm and a bullet in the head.”

“He went under surgery and currently recovering.” Mr. Hussein said.

Chief editor of the state run Radio Mogadishu, Ismail Muktar Omar, told NUSOJ that Shabab assailants attacked the photographer, shot him five times and left him dead on late Friday afternoon in Hodan district in Mogadishu, but luckily he survived.

The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) condemns the attack and calls for the Somali government to urgently investigate the case and bring the perpetrators to court of justice.

“We condemn the chilling attack against our colleague in the strongest terms possible.” Mohamed Ibrahim, Secretary General of the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) said, “The attackers must not escape unpunished and hope immediate recovery for our colleague.”