American missionary kidnapped in Nigeria

Woman was kidnapped far from the area controlled by Boko Haram

An American missionary with the Free Methodist Church was kidnapped on Monday in Nigeria and is being held for ransom, CNN reported.

The Rev Phyllis Sortor was kidnapped by five men from her workplace in Nigeria’s Kogi state, authorities said. The kidnappers have demanded a ransom of 60 million Naira, or about $301,500.

Initial reports do not think terrorist organisation Boko Haram is behind the kidnapping, as Kogi state is far from the area controlled by the group. Boko Haram has been involved in several high-profile kidnappings in the past year.

Ms Sortor runs an organisation that aims to educate children of the Fulani tribe, CNN reported. The five men – two of whom were masked – reportedly scaled a wall of the school, fired shots into the air and took Ms Sortor.

The US Embassy in Nigeria and the FBI have been notified about the kidnapping.