Radio Galkayo staff who were on the premises during the bomb attack said no one was injured but the building suffered damage.
(NUSOJ/IFEX) – 19 October 2011 – The National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) vehemently condemns a bomb attack on the privately owned radio station Radio Galkayo on 18 October 2011 by unknown assailants in Galkayo town, in the Puntland region of Somalia.
Journalists working for Radio Galkayo said the bomb, which frightened the staff, exploded at the gate of the station. They also stated that no one was hurt in the attack, but the building incurred damage.
The journalists said the culprits escaped from the scene after throwing the bomb at the radio station. Their motive is still unknown and no one has yet to claim responsibility for the attack.
Security forces from the semi-autonomous region of Puntland conducted investigations in the area, but did not arrest anyone in relation to the incident.
Journalist Farhan J. Abdulle of Radio Galakyo told NUSOJ that the bombing has not affected the operations of the radio station. Violent attacks against journalists have been on the rise in Puntland for the last five months.
“We strongly condemn the bombing attack on Radio Galkayo. We reiterate our firm stance that there is no justification for such mindless violence against the media,” said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.
NUSOJ expresses its solidarity with Radio Galkayo and hopes that the perpetrators will be brought to justice.
Gangs attacked female journalist Ms. Horriya Abdulkadir, who works for the same radio station, on 14 September 2011. She is still in the hospital receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.
Journalist Hassan Mohamed Ali, also known as Hassan Antenna, a correspondent for the Voice of Peace Radio in Bossaso, was shot and severely wounded by unknown gunmen in Bossaso on 22 September 2011.
Journalist Abdiaziz Ahmed Aden, who worked for Radio Markabley in the Bardhere district of Gedo region in southwest Somalia, was also among the 100 people killed in a suicide attack in Mogadishu on 4 October 2011.
