US aid worker abducted in Niger, transported to Mali

Two gunmen suspected to be kidnappers who abducted a US aid worker, Jeffery Woodke from his home in the town of Abalak at around 2000 GMT in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck are now heading towards Mali a statement by Niger’s interior ministry reveals.

“These criminals are now heading towards Mali. Our forces are on their trail,” said interior minister Mohamed Bazoum.

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According to reports, Jeffery who works for a local NGO called JEMED and has lived in Niger since 1992 was attacked on Friday night as his assailants killed his guard and housekeeper before driving him across the desert towards Mali.

Residents reported hearing gunfire near the aid worker’s house late on Friday. The town mayor, Ahmed Dilo, told Reuters that gunmen first came on a motorbike to kill the guard before the truck came to take Jeffrey away.

The interior minister said one National Guard stationed at the house was also killed.

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