Austria’s foreign ministry said a female citizen had been kidnapped by unidentified assailants in the military-controlled West African country of Niger.

It confirmed the incident to AFP and said it was aware of “a possible abduction of an Austrian woman” in Agadez, 900 kilometers (559 miles) from the capital Niamey.

According to Reuters, the woman was forced into a four-wheel drive by unidentified people in the Agadez Fada district on the edge of the Sahara Desert.

According to local media websites, the victim’s name is Eva Gretzmacher, a developer in her 70s who has lived in Niger for more than two decades. Aviation information Agadez.

Niger has yet to comment on the incident.

According to Air Info, the kidnappers showed up at Ms. Graetzmacher’s home armed with guns and forced their way in. They didn’t take anything else, the report said.

Ms. Graetzmacher is said to have developed projects in the fields of education, health, women’s empowerment and culture.

Austria’s foreign ministry said it was cooperating with the EU delegation and local authorities.

Niger has been battling an Islamist insurgency for years.

The junta has come under pressure for its failure to curb militant attacks, which was one of its reasons for deposing democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum in July 2023.

Niger and its neighbors Mali and Burkina Faso are grappling with attacks by groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

After the coup, Niger urged France and other Western countries to withdraw military bases and form security alliances with neighboring Mali and Burkina Faso, which are led by military juntas.