Frenchman’s abductors have Qaeda or Mali links – Hollande
Gunmen who abducted a Frenchman in Katsina probably have links to Al Qaeda’s North African group or to Islamist groups in northern Mali, French President Francois Hollande said Friday.
“He was captured by a heavily armed group which killed two Nigerians and is probably linked to AQIM (Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb) or the groups which are today in Mali,” AFP news agency quoted Mr. Hollande as telling a French radio station.
“We have to be firm when it comes to terrorism while at the same time maintaining contacts to free” French nationals, he told Europe 1 radio.
On Thursday, a group of around 30 gunmen stormed a residence in Katsina where expatriate workers were staying.
They kidnapped a French engineer, killing a security guard and a neighbour.
His employer, French company Vergnet said the man was a contractor working for the firm, which specialises in alternative energy and has a wind power project in Katsina.
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