An American missionary has been kidnapped in Niamey, the capital of Niger, according to three security sources on Wednesday.
The missionary, who works as a pilot for the evangelical organization Serving in Mission, was abducted by three unidentified men on Tuesday night while heading to the airport in the Plateau neighborhood, a diplomat told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The diplomat added that the kidnappers then traveled toward Niger’s western Tillaberi region, an area known for the presence of Islamist militants affiliated with Islamic State and al Qaeda.
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Two other sources confirmed the abduction but said they had no further details.
The U.S. State Department stated it was aware of reports of a U.S. citizen being kidnapped in Niamey and that it was working with local authorities, but declined to provide additional information, according to Reuters.
Kidnappings have reportedly increased this year across parts of West Africa where armed groups operate. Earlier incidents in Niger include the abductions of an Austrian woman in January and a Swiss citizen in April. In a separate April attack on workers at Niger’s Kandadji dam project, five Indian employees were kidnapped, and about a dozen soldiers were killed.
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Image Credit: Vanguard
