Libya: Three African Christians Abducted by the Islamic State (IS)

The Islamic State (IS) this week released a statement claiming responsibility for the abduction of three African Christians in Libya. The abduction of the men were reportedly verified by IS when the passport pictures of an Egyptian, Nigerian, and Ghanaian were published by the group.

According to Reuters, the infamous Islamic extremist group, the Islamic State (IS), has released a statement claiming responsibility for the abduction of three African Christians in Libya.

In the statement published on social media, IS said that the men hail from Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana. The group published the men’s passport pictures as proof and verification of their claim. They are believed to have been captured on 11 July as they entered the country.

The Cairo Post reports that negotiations are underway to release Bikhet Nageh, 21 and from Egypt, in exchange for a ransom. The Nigerian captive has been identified by This Day Live as Adeola Ibrahim. The Libya Herald also published a photograph of Ghanaian hostage, Sekyere, wearing an orange jumpsuit. It is reported that the abduction took place near the IS-controlled city of Sirte.

In early June 2015, IS abducted 88 Eritrean Christians in Libya. The Christians were seized when a people-smugglers convoy was ambushed near Oum Walid, according to the Libya Herald. The group is reportedly also responsible for the abduction and beheading of groups of 21 Coptic Christians and 28 Ethiopian Christians earlier this year.

The Egyptian government has reportedly warned citizens not to travel to Libya, but many Egyptians and Africans travel to Libya in an attempt to find work in the rich oil and gas industries. Libya is the number 13 worst place to be a Christian according to the Open Doors 2015 World Watch List.