Austria’s Foreign Ministry said a female citizen was kidnapped by unknown assailants in the military-run West African country of Niger.
AFP confirmed the incident and said it was aware of a “possible abduction of an Austrian woman” in Agadez, 900km from the capital Niamey.
The woman was reportedly forced into a 4×4 vehicle by unidentified individuals in the Agadez Fada region on the edge of the Sahara Desert.
According to local media sites, the victim, named Eva Gretzmacher, was a development worker in her mid-70s who had lived in Niger for over 20 years. Flight information Agadez.
Niger has not yet commented on the incident.
Air Info reported that the kidnappers showed up at Mr. Gretzmacher’s home with guns and forced their way in. They reported that they did not take anything else.
Ms. Gretzmacher is known for her projects in the areas of education, health, women’s empowerment and culture.
Austria’s Foreign Ministry said it was cooperating with EU representatives and local authorities.
Niger has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for years.
The junta is under pressure for failing to curb armed attacks, which was one of the justifications for ousting democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.
Niger, along with its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, is fighting attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda and ISIS.
After the coup, Niger called on France and other Western countries to withdraw military bases and forged security alliances with its military-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso.
