American missionary kidnapped by Islamist militants in Niger

The US authorities is conscious of the kidnapping of an American Christian missionary in Niger, West Africa, US official sources advised Fox Information.

The sources advised Fox Information they think the missionary was taken north to Islamic State-controlled areas the place an offshoot of ISIS operates.

“We’re conscious of experiences of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Niamey, Niger,” a State Division spokesperson mentioned in an announcement to Fox Information. “Since we had been notified of the scenario, our embassy officers have been working with native authorities. It’s a prime precedence for the Trump Administration to make sure the security of each American, and we see efforts throughout the U.S. authorities to help the restoration and protected return of this American citizen.”

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Niger’s presidential palace in Niamey in 2023. The kidnapping reportedly befell nearly 100 meters from the presidential palace. (AFP through Getty Photographs)

The missionary is a pilot for the evangelical mission group Serving in Mission Reuters.

A normal view of a busy road market in Niamey, Niger, on Might 17, 2023. The capital has confronted rising instability for the reason that 2023 navy coup that toppled President Mohamed Bazoum. (Michele Cattani/AFP through Getty Photographs)

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The kidnapping befell nearly 100 meters from the presidential palace in Niamey, the place ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has been held since he was ousted in a coup greater than two years in the past, sources mentioned. CBS News.

Following the kidnapping, the US embassy in Niger mentioned all personnel at the moment are solely allowed to journey in armored automobiles and introduced that every one eating places and open-air markets are “off limits”.

Kidnappings seem to have elevated this yr in areas of West Africa the place militants function. An Austrian girl was kidnapped in Niger in January and a Swiss citizen was kidnapped in the identical nation in April, Reuters reported.

Niger’s junta chief, Normal Abdourahamane Tchiani, salutes throughout an official ceremony in Niamey, Niger, on August 26, 2023. Tchiani seized energy in a coup in July 2023 that deposed President Mohamed Bazoum and has dominated the West African nation ever since. (AFP through Getty Photographs)

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As well as, 5 Indian residents working for an organization that supplied companies to the Kandadji dam venture in Niger had been kidnapped in an assault by gunmen in April that additionally killed a dozen troopers, the newspaper mentioned.

This can be a improvement story. Examine again later for updates.

Fox Information’ Jennifer Griffin contributed to this report.