Austrian Humanitarian Kidnapped in Niger's Agadez

Eva Gretzmacher, a long-time aid worker, was abducted by armed assailants in the conflict-ridden Sahel nation, marking the first such incident involving a European since Niger's 2023 coup.

Eva Gretzmacher, a 73-year-old Austrian humanitarian, was abducted from her home in Agadez, Niger, by armed assailants who forced her into a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
Gretzmacher, a resident of Agadez for over 20 years, is known for her work in education, women's empowerment, and environmental initiatives, including founding a skills center in 2010.
No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, and Nigerien authorities have yet to issue a statement on the incident.
The abduction is the first known case involving a European citizen in Niger since a 2023 military coup that ousted the elected government and heightened security challenges in the region.
Niger continues to face escalating violence from armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS, raising concerns about the junta's ability to stabilize the country after severing ties with Western allies in favor of Russian security partnerships.