Group of 17 American Christian missionaries and their families, including 5 children, have been kidnapped.
Gatekeepers News reports that they were kidnapped from a bus on Saturday near Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital by a notorious gang called, 400 Mawozo, according to Haitian police inspector Frantz Champagne who noted that the abducted persons include some elderly people and a 2-year-old.
The police said the missionaries were leaving an orphanage and heading to the airport to drop off some of its members when the incident happened.
The Associated Press said the US-based Christian Aid Ministries said the group’s field director was not with the group that was taken and was working with the U.S. Embassy.
“This is a special prayer alert,” the one-minute message said, according to AP. “Pray that the gang members would come to repentance.”
A statement released on Sunday afternoon by the organisation said all but one member of the group are American citizens and the other one is Canadian.
“We are seeking God’s direction for a resolution, and authorities are seeking ways to help,” the statement added.
Gatekeepers News reports that Saturday’s abductio comes just days after an entourage of U.S. officials held talks with leading Haiti’s police chief and other top Haitian officials. The effort was led by Uzra Zeya, the U.S. under secretary of state for civilian security, democracy, and human rights. The U.S. pledged $15 million to help reduce gang violence.
“The U.S. supports inclusive, Haitian-led solutions to Haitian challenges,” Zeya said on Twitter last week. “I was heartened to meet w/ Haitian civil society leaders and learn about their vision for their nation’s future. We’re listening to Haitian voices, & civil society is essential for every nation to thrive.”
