afrol News, 17 October - Nigerian journalist Eiphraim Audu shot and killed on Wednesday by six unknown gunmen near his residence in Lafia, central Nigeria.

Mr Audu was a senior radio journalist with Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service and chairman of credential committee of forthcoming Nigeria Union of Journalist elections in Nasarawa.

"We send our deepest condolences to family and colleagues of Eiphraim Audu. We urge Inspector General of national police and Nasarawa State Police Command to follow all possible leads and ensure that perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice," said CPJ Africa Programme Coordinator, Tom Rhodes.

Unknown gunmen reportedly shot Mr Audu after he left his house to visit neighbors after returning from a state function, general manager of Nasarawa State Broadcasting Service, Musa Abdullahi, told CPJ.

No items were stolen from him or his car, which was parked nearby, said secretary of journalists union, Shu'aibu Usman Leman.

State police spokesperson, Richard Akoji, assured local media that police would do everything in their power to apprehend perpetrators.

Mr Audu's friends and colleagues from all over Nigeria attended his funeral service told Nasarawa state secretary of Nigerian Union of Journalists, Abubakar Bala, told CPJ.

Mr Audu is second journalist killed in unknown circumstances in Nigeria this year. On August 17, unidentified gunmen shot Paul Abayomi Ogundeji, a board member of private daily 'This Day' in Dopemu, a suburb of Lagos.

Media reports by Nigerian press watchdog organisation Media Rights Agenda, shows that Nigerian police claimed Mr Ogundeji was killed by armed robbers, while an eyewitness claimed police killed journalist.

By staff writer

© afrol News

Related pages and feature

Current afrol News Top Stories