A German national has been abducted by unknown gunmen in the Anguwan Faransa locality of Nigeria's northeastern Adamawa State, local residents said Wednesday.
"The incident occurred this morning in Gobi town, but we are not sure of his [the German's] whereabouts," Wasiu Salam, a resident of the Anguwan Faransa district, told AA by phone, identifying the German national only as "Nachi."
"Nachi was kidnapped by gunmen who laid siege to his home since about 6am," Salam said, noting that the German national was an engineer who "helps in many community works and teaches people technical skills."
Neither police nor the German embassy in Nigeria has commented on the incident. But local journalist Paschal Njoku told AA that news of the German's abduction had spread through the town.
"Although the government has not spoken to us about it, residents have confirmed the incident, which they claimed occurred around 6am today. Nobody has claimed responsibility yet," Njoku told AA.
He added that kidnapping-for-ransom was rampant in the area, saying such incidents were usually blamed on local gangs and Boko Haram fighters "whose sources of funding we understand include high-profile kidnappings."
Adamawa is one of the three northeastern states to remain under emergency rule imposed last year with a view to curbing the Boko Haram menace.
The violent sect has been blamed for many high-profile abductions, including some of traditional rulers whose followers will pay large ransoms to secure their release.
By Rafiu Ajakaye
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
