An American missionary has been kidnapped from his home in Niamey, the capital of Niger, just a short distance from the presidential palace where ousted President Mohamed Bazoum has been detained since his overthrow in 2023.
Security sources revealed that the missionary, who has lived in Niger since 2010 while working with a US-based charity, was abducted by three unidentified armed men late Tuesday. The incident occurred barely 100 yards from the heavily guarded presidential compound, sparking concerns over security lapses in the city’s most protected area.
The United States government confirmed that it is aware of the abduction and is actively coordinating with Nigerien authorities to secure the safe return of the missing citizen. A State Department spokesperson said efforts are underway across multiple government agencies to locate and recover the victim.
According to local sources, the missionary’s phone signal was last detected around 56 miles north of Niamey, in a region known to harbor groups affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara. So far, no group has claimed responsibility, and no ransom demands have been made public.
The kidnapping comes amid ongoing instability in Niger following the July 2023 military coup that toppled President Bazoum. The coup was led by General Abdourahamane Tiani and his presidential guards, who have since consolidated power under a military junta. Bazoum remains under house arrest in the presidential palace, reportedly confined to two small rooms with no windows.
Niger, the largest country in West Africa, sits at the heart of the Sahel region — a vast belt stretching from the Atlantic to the Red Sea. The area has faced growing insecurity fueled by extremist groups linked to both Islamic State and al-Qaeda, as well as a wave of coups in neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso.
Once considered a pillar of democratic stability and a vital ally in counterterrorism efforts, Niger’s political turmoil and rising violence have shaken confidence in the region’s security. The latest abduction underscores the growing risks facing foreign nationals and humanitarian workers operating in one of Africa’s most volatile zones.
Authorities in Niamey continue to search for clues, while the United States intensifies diplomatic and security efforts to ensure the missionary’s safe recovery.
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