​Somalia: Four Aid workers abducted in Gedo region

KISMAYO, Somalia - Four members of a polio vaccination team have been kidnapped in Gedo region of south-west Somalia on Monday afternoon, according to Police official, Garowe Online reports.

The team were abducted by suspected Al Shabaab militants as they were traveling in a vehicle near Golweyn village which lies 15 km away from Luuq town, said Police chief Diyad Abdi Kalil.

Kalil accused Al Shabaab group for the abduction of the aid workers. Local media reported that the polio team were working for World Health Organization (WHO) on five-day contract.

The reason for the abduction is yet unclear, however, Police said local elders are making tireless efforts for the release of the kidnapped humanitarian workers from Al Shabaab militants near Luuq town.

Last month, several local humanitarian workers were reported kidnapped by suspected Al Shabaab fighters in Jubbaland-controlled settlements in southern Somalia, but released following swift intervention by local elders.

The Al Qaida-linked Islamist militants in Somalia oppose humanitarian works by western aid organization including WHO organizations in their controlled areas, saying it is a western conspiracy to sterilize children living in areas under their control.

GAROWEONLINE