Former Somali journalist Horio Abdulkadir triumphantly returns to journalism with Yle after asylum in Finland

Horio Abdulkadir, a former Somali journalist, sustained severe injuries during a shooting incident in 2011 while walking home from work. Following the increase in violence in Somalia, he did not return home after his recovery. In 2014, he moved to Finland, where he was granted asylum, trained as a nursing assistant, and eventually returned to his dream profession as a journalist. He is now a Somali-language news reporter for Yle, Finland’s national public broadcasting company.

On the evening of September 14, 2011, while walking home in the bustling streets of Galkayo, Abdulkadir was attacked by a masked man who demanded to know if he was Horio. As the man drew a gun, Abdulkadir attempted to flee but was shot multiple times, suffering injuries to his hand, chest, and abdomen. While on the ground, he requested someone to call his cousin, as there was no emergency number in Somalia.

After a month in a hospital in Galkayo and further rehabilitation in Kenya, he decided to seek refuge in Europe for safety. He was granted asylum in Finland in November 2014 and began studying Finnish, followed by training in communications. After achieving his nursing qualifications, he worked in an elderly care facility in Helsinki.

In September 2023, he was hired as a reporter for Yle’s Somali-language news, which launched coverage aimed at Somali audiences. Abdulkadir emphasizes the importance of providing news in one’s native language to enhance understanding of local developments. He reflects on the deep loss he experienced when his mother passed away five years ago, believing that she would be proud of his return to journalism. Abdulkadir encourages everyone to help those they can, as it holds great significance for him.