A US missionary has been kidnapped in Niger's capital city of Niamey, according to a statement released by the US State Department. The man, who is believed to be in his 50s and works as a pilot for an evangelical Christian organization called Serving in Mission (SIM), was taken from his home on Tuesday night and was allegedly already being transported towards the border with Mali when he was seized.
According to a diplomatic source, the victim's abduction took place in Niamey's Plateau neighborhood, where he was heading to the airport at the time of the kidnapping. The group of men who abducted him then made their way towards Niger's western Tillaberi region, an area known to be frequented by armed fighters linked to groups such as ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda.
The US State Department confirmed the abduction and stated that its embassy in Niamey was taking steps to secure the safe release of the hostage. In a social media post, Wamaps, a collective of journalists in West Africa, revealed that the victim had been working in Niger since 2010 and was just a few streets away from the presidential palace when he was taken.
This latest kidnapping is part of a growing trend of abductions of foreign nationals in Niger this year. In April, two women - a Swiss national and an Austrian national - were kidnapped in Agadez city, while in January, four Moroccan truck drivers were taken by local criminal groups reportedly acting on behalf of ISIL.
Niger has been plagued by armed conflict for over a decade, with thousands of people killed and millions displaced. Following the military coup in 2023, US and French forces that had been involved in fighting against armed violence in the region were expelled from Niger. The country instead turned to Russian mercenaries in an effort to maintain stability.
The kidnapping has sparked concerns about the safety of foreign nationals operating in Niger, particularly those working with organizations such as SIM that focus on spreading Christianity in areas where there are few Christians.
According to a diplomatic source, the victim's abduction took place in Niamey's Plateau neighborhood, where he was heading to the airport at the time of the kidnapping. The group of men who abducted him then made their way towards Niger's western Tillaberi region, an area known to be frequented by armed fighters linked to groups such as ISIL (ISIS) and al-Qaeda.
The US State Department confirmed the abduction and stated that its embassy in Niamey was taking steps to secure the safe release of the hostage. In a social media post, Wamaps, a collective of journalists in West Africa, revealed that the victim had been working in Niger since 2010 and was just a few streets away from the presidential palace when he was taken.
This latest kidnapping is part of a growing trend of abductions of foreign nationals in Niger this year. In April, two women - a Swiss national and an Austrian national - were kidnapped in Agadez city, while in January, four Moroccan truck drivers were taken by local criminal groups reportedly acting on behalf of ISIL.
Niger has been plagued by armed conflict for over a decade, with thousands of people killed and millions displaced. Following the military coup in 2023, US and French forces that had been involved in fighting against armed violence in the region were expelled from Niger. The country instead turned to Russian mercenaries in an effort to maintain stability.
The kidnapping has sparked concerns about the safety of foreign nationals operating in Niger, particularly those working with organizations such as SIM that focus on spreading Christianity in areas where there are few Christians.
This latest kidnapping is super worrying 
! Can't believe a US pilot was taken from his home and now we're talking about thousands of people killed and millions displaced... it's like, what's going on in Niger? 
, and now with all these foreign organizations coming in, it's like a powder keg just waiting to explode 
niger is like super volatile right now. i remember when sim was all about helping kids in africa and stuff back in the day 
and now the us is having to deal with another kidnapping. hopefully they get this guy out safely 
I mean, isn't that what we were doing over here in the States with our foreign aid? Now it's like everyone's playing their own game. Anyway, gotta keep an eye on this one, 'cause safety is no joke for those missionaries 
we need answers 
These abductions are not only putting lives at risk but also sending the wrong message to everyone else who wants to do business or help out in the region.
The US State Department is doing its thing, trying to secure a safe release, but I don't think it's just about security anymore. It's about the fact that Niger can't seem to keep itself safe without relying on other countries or mercenaries.
It's like, if you want to make a difference, can't you just do it from a safe place for once? 
this is getting crazy! Niger is literally a war zone right now and it's only going to get worse 
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. The US should at least consider pulling out of there or doing something more to help those countries deal with the security situation 
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I mean, I know some ppl might say that organizations like SIM are poking their noses into places they shouldn't be, but I think we gotta separate the issue from the individual. The man was just trying to do his job, spread some love and hope... and then gets taken away. 
this is so scary! I'm thinking of all the people who work in these countries and their families back home who must be worrying sick 
. The situation in Niger sounds really tough right now, with all the armed conflict and whatnot... but I'm sure the US State Department is doing everything they can to get this guy back safely 
. Anyone know what's going on with these Russian mercenaries? Are they even effective? 
A 50-something year old pilot, because that's not a job for a senior citizen, gets grabbed by some guys from the Tillaberi region. The US State Department is all like "Don't worry, we got this" 
And what's up with these groups? Like, isn't ISIS all, "I'm an evil terrorist organization"? 
I mean, I guess it's a growing trend in kidnapping for ransom and/or conversion. Who needs the movies when you can watch this on repeat? 
I feel so bad for his family 
We gotta think of all these ppl who are living in Niger, it's not safe at all 
I mean, where did we go wrong? 
. US & French forces were kicked out in 2023, so now it's up to Russia or other mercs to keep things under control? sounds like a recipe for disaster 
. and the irony is, these groups are just trying to spread hate & fear through abduction & extortion... meanwhile, the real victims are just innocent people stuck in the middle 
just thinking about this US missionary being kidnapped is really giving me the chills... like what's going on in Niger right now? 
This is so worrying 
is super concerning. And those guys allegedly being taken by groups linked to ISIS?