American Missionary Gets Kidnapped in Niger
(MENAFN) An American missionary was abducted from his residence in Niger, according to multiple security sources who spoke to CBS News, a partner of BBC in the United States.
The unidentified man was taken from the capital city, Niamey, on Tuesday, just about 100 yards (91 meters) away from the presidential palace, where the ousted Nigerien President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained since a military coup in 2023.
The individual has reportedly been serving as a missionary for a US-based charity and has been living in Niger since 2010.
While details about the identity and motives of the kidnappers remain unclear, US media outlets indicate that the authorities are actively investigating the situation.
The US State Department has acknowledged reports about the abduction of an American citizen in Niger.
A spokesperson confirmed that officials from the US embassy are cooperating with local authorities in efforts to resolve the situation.
The spokesperson emphasized, "We are seeing efforts from across the US government to support the recovery and safe return of this US citizen."
According to CBS News, security sources revealed that the kidnapping was carried out by three unidentified gunmen.
However, no specific demands from the abductors have been reported so far.
The American missionary’s phone was tracked to a location approximately 56 miles north of Niamey, a region that is known to be a stronghold for groups linked to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, according to Nigerien security sources quoted by CBS News.
This event occurred two years after the military coup in July 2023, which resulted in the removal of President Bazoum and the subsequent rise to power of General Abdourahamane Tiani and his junta.
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