afrol News, 9 January - The Director of Radio et Musique (R&M) in Niger, Abdou Mahaman, was yesterday killed by a landmine explosion in Yantala, a suburb in the West of the capital Niamey.

A woman on board Mahaman's car had sustained serious injuries.

Established in April 1994, R&M is the first independent and privately-owned radio station in Niger.

Mahaman's untimely death occurred when the car he was driving overstepped on the buried landmine in Yantala. He became the third civilian victim of landmine explosion killings in the West African country's major cities since December last year.

R&M chief - popularly dubbed Jeannot - was also the Vice President of the Board of the Niger Press Centre. During his lifetime, he was not known for critical reporting, which was why most people ruled out that his killing was targeted. No one or group is yet to claim responsibility for the explosion.

The Yantala explosion came just a month after the Niamey government accused its rebels of expanding the war in the country's uranium-rich North region.

Nigerien authorities have banned journalists from covering the war and continue to hold two local journalists for their coverage on the issue.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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