UN aid worker kidnapped in Sudan’s Darfur
March 6, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – A UN aid worker serving with the World Food Program (WFP) in Sudan’s western region of Darfur has been kidnapped, sources have told Sudan Tribune.
He was snatched along with his Sudanese driver Mohamed al-Maozi as they headed towards the WFP’s office near Al-Hilal stadium in down town Nyala at around 8am, local time, on Tuesday.
According to the sources, the two were kidnapped by unknown armed men driving a Land Cruiser vehicle.
The sources further revealed that the kidnappers had managed to trick security authorities by using another small car to abduct the hostages while the Land Cruiser was waiting at a distant location, from which it was used to take the hostages to Jebel Marra area.
The kidnappers later released the Sudanese driver near Kas locality, east of Nyala, while the American hostage was taken to Jebel Marra.
Meanwhile, the government of South Darfur released a statement saying that a group of outlaws had kidnapped the aid worker. It added that the authorities were closely monitoring the situation and were currently on the trail of the culprits.
The government’s statement urged foreign aid workers to observe caution in their movement and inform the competent authorities before moving to any place.
Over 20 foreigners have been kidnapped for ransom money in Darfur since March 2009. All have been released unharmed.
(ST)