The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) has expressed outrage at the targeted shooting of a journalist Abdikheyr Mohammed Jama of Radio Galkayo in Puntland by unknown assailants on Thursday, 10 January.

The journalist, who was on his way home after leaving from the Radio station in the evening, was attacked by four armed men who opened fire to him and some of the targeted bullets hit his mouth. He was immediately rushed to Galkayo hospital. According to doctors, his situation is stable but critical. The attackers left the journalist as dead person, according to eyewitnesses. Abdikheyr Mohammed Jama is a presenter and a technician at Radio Galkayo, a community radio.

The motive behind this targeted attack remains unknown, but Radio Galkayo journalists have been receiving in the recent days death threats by anonymous callers. Politically moved clan militias have reportedly been creating insecurity to challenge Puntland President Mohamud Muse Hersi, General Adde Muse.

"We condemn this cruel and shocking attack on Abdikheyr Mohammed Jama" said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General. "We demand that Puntland authorities investigate and bring before justice the perpetrators".

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