German aid worker freed after kidnapping four years ago in Niger, says employer
Dakar, SenegalReuters A 63-year-old German aid worker, Joerg Lange, has been freed more than four years after he was kidnapped in western Niger near the Malian border, his employer, humanitarian organisation Help, said in a statement on Saturday. Armed men on motorcycles kidnapped Lange in April, 2018, near the Nigerien town of Inates in borderlands […]
Catholic priest kidnapped in northern Nigeria, diocese says
Kaduna, Nigeria Reuters A Nigerian priest was kidnapped from his home in northern Kaduna state, the local Roman Catholic diocese said in a statement on Tuesday, in the first such reported abduction of a clergyman in the state since July. Armed gangs are rife across northern Nigeria where they rob or kidnap for ransom, and […]
Gunmen kidnap dozens of children from Nigerian farm, police say
Kano, Nigeria Reuters Dozens of children were abducted by gunmen from a farm in northern Katsina state and the kidnappers were demanding a ransom for their release, police and residents said on Wednesday. Katsina is the home state of President Muhammadu Buhari and is among states in northwestern and north central Nigeria where armed gangs […]
“More difficult than ever”: US faith groups curb Haiti work due to chaos, 2021 kidnapping
PETER SMITH and DAVID CRARY, of Associated Press, report on the impact the deteriorating situation in Haiti is having on US-based Christian aid and relief groups operating there…
In Mexico, families and activists urge more work to end disappearances
Mexico City Reuters Families of missing persons and human rights groups in Mexico called on Tuesday’s International Day of Victims of Forced Disappearances for stronger measures to fight kidnappings, including bringing more perpetrators to justice. Progress on one of Mexico’s most notorious cases of forced kidnappings appeared to play out earlier this month as a […]
Kidnapped Nigerian Catholic priest found dead, another escapes
Lagos, NigeriaReuters A Nigerian Catholic priest abducted last week was found murdered on Tuesday while his colleague managed to escaped from his captors in the northern state of Kaduna, the local diocese said. Fathers John Mark Cheitnum and Donatus Cleophas were seized in the town of Lere when attending a parish function at Christ the […]
Children among 77 freed from Nigeria church after being held for rapture – police
Abuja, Nigeria AP Police in Nigeria have freed at least 77 people who were kept in a church basement by pastors who preached to them about Christian believers ascending to heaven with the second coming of Jesus Christ, authorities said Sunday. The people rescued Friday night from the church in Ondo state included 23 children, […]
Abducted prelate of Nigeria Methodist church regains freedom
Abuja, Nigeria AP The head of the Methodist Church Nigeria regained his freedom a day after being kidnapped by unknown gunmen in the country’s south-east, police told The Associated Press late Monday. Samuel Kanu Uche was kidnapped on Sunday along with two other senior clerics along a highway in the Umunneochi area in south-eastern Abia […]
American nun, 83, kidnapped by armed men in northern Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou, Burkina FasoReuters Armed men have kidnapped an 83-year-old American nun in northern Burkina Faso, the bishop of the local diocese said on Tuesday. The bishop did not know the identity of the kidnappers. Militant groups, some with links to al-Qaeda and Islamic State, have taken over large swathes of territory in Burkina Faso and conduct frequent […]
US religious group says Haitian gang releases three hostages
Port-au-Prince, Haiti AP A religious group based in Ohio announced Monday that a violent gang in Haiti has released three more hostages, while another 12 remain abducted. The statement from Christian Aid Ministries said the people were released on Sunday in Haiti and are “safe and seem to be in good spirits.” The group provided […]