1st LD-Writethru: Canadian man kidnapped in Burkina Faso

0 Comment(s)Print E-mail Xinhua, January 17, 2019
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OTTAWA, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Canadian man was kidnapped in Burkina Faso in West Africa Tuesday night, CTV reported Wednesday.

The Canadian man, identified as Kirk Woodman, was abducted by gunmen on a mining site owned by Canadian-based exploration company Progress Minerals near Burkina Faso's border with Niger, CTV said.

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said Canadian officials are aware of the report and "we'll be in contact with the family."

The abduction happened after 34-year-old Canadian woman Edith Blais and her Italian friend Luca Tacchetto reportedly went missing while they were traveling together in the West African country early this month.

Burkina Faso has declared a state of emergency in its northern provinces since Dec. 31, after attacks by Islamist militants reportedly surged in the country.

Canada has issued a strong warning over travel to Burkina Faso, urging Canadians to avoid all travel to much of the country because of the threat of terrorism.

The travel advice page specifically states that "the threat of kidnapping persists in Burkina Faso's northern area, due to the proximity of Mali and Niger, where criminal and terrorist groups are active." Enditem

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