Jihadist group suspected to have kidnapped American missionary

A jihadist group known as Movement for Unity and Jihad in West Africa (MUJAO) is believed to be behind the kidnapping of American aid worker in Niger. Jeffery Woodke, who has lived in Niger since 1992, was abducted from his home in Abalak last Friday.

Mohamed Bazoum, the interior minister of Niger said that the kidnappers were headed towards Mali, Express reported.

"We think this is the MUJAO," said Bazoum. "We followed the kidnappers when they crossed the Malian border. They headed to the Menaka region (eastern Mali), near the Niger border, an area controlled by the MUJAO," he added.

MUJAO has been known to engage in drug trafficking in Sahel and southern Algeria. It formally announced its existence after it kidnapped three aid workers from the Saharan refugee camp in Tindouf in October 2011.

An anonymous government source told CNN that some people witnessed the abductors forcing Woodke to strip down to his underwear before putting him in a Toyota Hilux pickup truck. The source said that it is a common practice of terrorist groups to avoid being tracked down.

A night guard and a national guard stationed at Woodke's house were killed during the abduction.

Woodke has been working alongside the local NGO known as JEMED. He is also affiliated with the Christian aid group Youth With a Mission (YWAM).

Pete Thompson, a spokesperson for YWAM, told CNN that Woodke's family has already been informed about the kidnapping.

It has been reported that Woodke is the first U.S. citizen to be abducted in Niger. The U.S. State Department stated that it is already aware of the aid worker's situation.

"The safety and security of U.S. citizens overseas is among our highest priorities. We have no further information to offer at this time," a department representative said.

According to New York Times, the U.S. embassy in Niger issued a warning on Saturday that "the threat of kidnapping and hostage taking continues to be very high."