Mogadishu — -Assailants in Somalia's capital Mogadishu have shot dead a well-known comedian worked for Universal TV, a London-based Somali satellite television, Witnesses said.

A witness told Shabelle Media that Abdi-Jaylani Malaq better known as (Marshaale) was shot on the head in several times by two masked men armed with pistols as he was on his way home near Ali-booley mosque in Mogadishu's Waberi district.

The victim, who has been seriously wounded in the attack, was rushed to Madine hospital, where the doctors later reported to the media for the death of the comedian. He was one of Somali funniest comedians living in Mogadishu.

The executioners escaped from the scene, after carrying out the murder.

The motive and the identity of the killers are yet unclear. Attacks on journalists are common in war-ravaged Somalia.