Italian priest, missionary to Africa, Rev. Pierluigi Maccalli kidnapped by Muslim extremists
(International Christian Concern) –On September 17, 2018, Islamic extremists entered the home of an Italian priest living and evangelizing in Niger. Rev. Pierluigi Maccalli, a member of the Society of African Missions, has been living and working on the continent for many years. Last week, the extremists entered his home in Bomanga, Niger, stole his computer, other valuables, and then took him and his car. He has not been seen since.
There is speculation that he was taken across the border into Burkina Faso, which has several Islamic jihadists groups using it as a base of operations. Rev Maccalli is not the only person abducted from this region this year either. There have been several abductions over the past year as these Islamic groups have started to act more. It is believed that due to rising poverty and insecurity in Burkina Faso and Niger that these groups are growing.
The Italian government has already been in contact with the Niger Government in hopes that they will be able to rescue the priest. They have asked the Niger Government to do whatever it can to ensure the Rev Maccalli is returned home safe, while not making the captivity worse for him. The groups operating out of Burkina Faso have been known to kill captives in the past.
Check out the ICC post HERE
Image/CIA
