Investigation sought over journalist's death

International and Nigerian press watchdogs have demanded a full investigation into the killing of one of the country's most prominent woman journalists. The journalist, Bolanle Fasai, was an active member of the National Association of Women Journalists and former treasurer of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ). She was shot dead on 7 April by three unknown gunmen in Ibadan, 200km north of Lagos. Journalists for Democratic Rights (JODER) asked the police to ensure that the murder is thoroughly investigated, the independent daily, 'The Guardian' reported on Tuesday. Adewale Adeoye, chairman of JODER, was quoted as saying: "The killing was callous and dangerous to the fragile transition to democracy and freedom." He linked her death to the "hostile environment" in which Nigerian journalists had been working and urged the incoming civilian government to ensure that press freedom and a "conducive environment for journalists" were made priority agendas. In Paris, Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) expressed its "deep concern" and recommended that an appeal is sent to the Oyo state military administrator urging him to use his authority to "ensure that an inquiry is conducted to find the killers."