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The unidentified man was kidnapped overnight Tuesday into
Wednesday by three armed individuals in a Toyota Corolla and was
probably driven out of town, according to a security source with
direct knowledge of the incident but who was not authorized to
speak about it publicly.
No armed group has claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups including jihadis
linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization.
The security source said that Nigerien authorities suspect the
kidnappers were linked to the Islamic State, but the
investigation continues.
According to local media, the kidnapped American was a pilot for
the evangelical missionary agency Serving in Mission.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said they were
“aware of reports of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Niamey,
Niger. Since we were alerted of the situation, our Embassy
officials have been working with local authorities.
"It is a top priority for the Trump Administration to look after
the safety of every American, and we are seeing efforts from
across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe
return of this U.S. citizen.”
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert Wednesday
warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of
kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.”
Niger is ruled by a military junta that took power in 2023 after
deposing the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The new authorities ousted Western partners including the United
States, which had soldiers in Niger, and forged a new security
and diplomatic alliance with Russia.
“Security has worsened in Niger in recent months,” said Ulf
Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation. As a result, jihadis "are reviving a kidnapping
business" which started with tourists and now has targeted aid
workers.
“Kidnapping is a multimillion-dollar business" for jihadis, he
added. “It also means Western donors and aid groups will pull
out staff and suspend operations in the Sahel which will lead to
more poverty, making it easier for jihadis to recruit.”
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