An Austrian woman kidnapped by unknown perpetrators in Niger

The Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says unknown perpetrators have kidnapped a West African woman in the military-controlled West African country of Niger.

It confirmed the incident to AFP and said it was aware of the “possible kidnapping of an Austrian woman” in Agadez, 900 km (559 miles) from the capital Niamey.

According to reports by Reuters news agency, the woman was forced into a 4×4 vehicle by unidentified people in the Fada district of Agadez, on the edge of the Sahara Desert.

According to local media, the victim, Eva Gretzmacher, is an approximately 70-year-old software developer who has lived in Niger for over twenty years. Agadez aviation information.

Niger has not yet commented on the incident.

According to Air Info, the kidnappers showed up at Mrs. Gretzmacher’s house with weapons and forced their way inside. They reportedly took nothing else.

Ms. Gretzmacher is said to have led projects in the areas of education, health, women’s empowerment and culture.

The Austrian Foreign Ministry said it was cooperating with the EU delegation and authorities on the ground.

Niger has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for years.

The military junta is under pressure for failing to stop militant attacks, which is one of its justifications for overthrowing democratically elected president Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

Niger, together with its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso, is struggling with attacks by groups linked to Al-Qaeda and ISIS.

Since the coup, Niger has insisted that France and other Western powers withdraw their military bases and form a security alliance with junta-led neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso.

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