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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Publisher Critical Of Military Gunned Down

Compiled From Wire Services

The publisher of an independent newspaper critical of Nigeria’s military regime was shot in the head several times by unidentified gunmen.

Relatives said Alex Ibru, 50, was in stable condition Saturday.

He was attacked in his car by a gang of armed men Friday night as he returned home from his offices at the Guardian newspaper. He was shot in the head and both hands as he tried to shield himself.

The Guardian has been highly critical of the military dictatorship of Gen. Sani Abacha, who has jailed numerous journalists since he seized power in a November 1993 coup.

The newspaper was banned by the government in 1994 and only allowed to return to the streets last October. Two months ago, masked men wielding machine guns set fire to the Guardian offices, partially damaging its printing presses.