It’s been over five months since a pioneering US missionary was kidnapped in Niger.
Jeff Woodke, who worked for Jeunesse en Mission Entraide et Developpement, a branch of the US-based Youth With a Mission, was abducted by unknown assailants in October, from the town of Abalak in northern Niger.
So far, little is known, or at least being divulged, about Woodke’s condition or whereabouts other than that his captors were tracked to neighbouring Mali by Nigerian authorities. No group has publicly claimed responsibility.
His family said they have been in contact with US authorities and a foreign hostage negotiator. Although a couple of ransom demands have since been received they said both were determined by authorities to be bogus.
When the kidnap occurred, Woodke’s wife, who worked with him in Niger, was at the couple’s US home. He had just returned to Niger and she was planning to rejoin him. After his arrival, though, he cautioned her that it was too dangerous. Two days later he disappeared.
