Categories: World News

Austrian woman kidnapped by unknown assailants in Niger

The Austrian foreign ministry says a female citizen has been taken by unknown assailants in the military-ran West African country, Niger.

It confirmed the incident to AFP and said they were aware of the “possible kidnapping of an Austrian woman” in Agadez which is 900 km (559 miles) from the capital Niamey.

The woman was reportedly forced into a 4×4 vehicle by unidentified individuals in Fada district, Agadez, on the edge of the Sahara Desert, reported Reuters news agency.

The victim, named Eva Gretzmacher, is a development worker in her mid-70’s and had lived in Niger for over two decades, according to local media site, Air Info Agadez.

Niger has not yet commented on the incident.

Air Info reported kidnappers showed up at Ms Gretzmacher’s house with a gun and forced their way in. They did not take anything else, reports said.

Ms Gretzmacher is said to have run projects in the areas of education, health, women’s empowerment and culture.

The Austrian foreign ministry said they are working with the EU delegation and authorities on the ground.

Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for years.

The military junta is under pressure for failing to curb militant attacks, one of its justifications for deposing democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

Niger, along with its neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso, is grappling with attacks from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Since the coup, Niger has urged France and other Western powers to withdraw their military bases and formed a security alliance with junta-led neighbours Mali and Burkina Faso.

William

Recent Posts

“Football is for smart people” – Firstpost

Arsenal suffered a hard blow for his first league title ambitions after a draw against…

4 minutes ago

Mexico’s head of security calmly forms an elite force to face the drug cartels

Mexico (AP) - Six years ago dissolved the country's federal police and has completely given…

7 minutes ago

The lawyer for the LAPD chief blamed by Union for having disclosed photos of officer

Los Angeles Police Head, Jim McDonnell, has ahead of the department's constitutional police office, separating…

8 minutes ago

Meghan Markle caught up in a relatable error with an obvious typing fault in the brand’s email

Spotted Select the products independently. If you buy something from our items, we can win…

10 minutes ago

Timberwolves du Minnesota donte divincenzo and naz reid suspended to fight with Detroit Pistons

DENVER - The NBA suspended the Naz Center Reid and the Donte Donte Divincenzo each…

11 minutes ago

Vacheron Constantin has just unveiled an ultra-complied wrist watch

If you need to know which constellations are above you in the sky at any…

15 minutes ago