An Austrian woman was abducted in the desert town of Agadez, central Niger, on Saturday, according to two Nigerien security sources.
The woman was reportedly forced into a 4×4 vehicle by unidentified kidnappers in the Fada district, situated near the Sahara Desert.
Austria’s Ministry for European and International Affairs confirmed on Sunday that its embassy, which oversees Niger, had been notified of the possible kidnapping. The embassy is coordinating with EU representatives, regional authorities, and partner nations.
Niger’s Interior Ministry has yet to respond to requests for comment.
The region, including Niger’s neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, has been plagued by militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State. Over the past decade, the ongoing conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions in the Sahel.