An Austrian woman, Eva Gretzmacher, a 70-year-old development worker, has been kidnapped by unknown assailants in the Nigerien military-ran West African country. According to the Austrian foreign ministry, Ms. Gretzmacher was taken from her home in Agadez, approximately 900km from Niamey, with reports stating she was forced into a vehicle by unidentified individuals.
Ms. Gretzmacher, who has spent over two decades working on education, health, women’s empowerment, and culture projects, is not believed to have had any valuables taken during the incident. Local media outlets reported that the kidnappers showed up at her house with a gun, forcing their way in.
The Austrian foreign ministry is currently collaborating with the EU delegation and local authorities to address the situation. Niger has faced an Islamist insurgency for years and recent military coup has seen increased militant attacks from groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS.
The country’s neighbors, including Mali and Burkina Faso, have been grappling with similar security challenges, prompting calls for Western powers to withdraw their military bases.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgy015l22do