An Italian priest who was kidnapped in Niger in September 2018 has been seen alive in a video by Islamist militants. Father Pierluigi Maccalli, a priest of the Society for African Missions, was kidnapped in 2018 by armed men in Bomoanga village – located more than 100km from the capital, Niamey. If the video is true, it is the first proof of him alive since his abduction, AFP news agency commented. Until now, the Society for African Missions had no evidence that the priest was still alive, communications officer for the Catholic mission in Niger Thomas Codjovi was quoted as saying. But “if this information is true, it is heartening to know that he is alive.”The Catholic Society of African Missions said at the time that priest Maccalli had lived in Niger for 11 years.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 08, 2020 20:26 UTC