​Somalia: Militants release humanitarian workers after ransom paid

BAIDOA, Somalia- The Militant group al-Shabaab has freed Monday seven Somali Aid staff working for local humanitarian NGO, after receiving huge sum of ransom payment, Garowe Online reports.

A local official who asked not to be named, told GO that al-Shabaab took $ 30,000 for the release of abducted workers, who had been held captive at Dalandole, a rebel-held area near Baidoa town since July 16. Four women are among the freed workers. "All are well and safe," he added.

The group who work for GREDO, a local NGO based in Buur Hakaba district were traveling with Toyota NOAH when they came under attack. They were on nutrition campaign at the time of their abduction.

Southwest administration who controls the area and GREDO NGO, both did not officially comment on the release of the aid workers. Sources said elders worked to make sure of the release of the team.

Last April, the al-Qaida-linked extremist group has kidnapped four men working for another local NGO  near the town of Luuq in Gedo region while working on a polio vaccination programs funded by WHO.

The four were freed later after mediation by local elders. The militants banned the local and international aid agencies from operating in their strongholds in south and central Somalia.

GAROWEONLINE