NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An American missionary has been kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, according to security sources and local media.
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 r …