A pastor and his family have been released from captivity in Burkina Faso after being held for four days.
Pierre Boena, a pastor with an Assembly of God church, four family members and a church member were kidnapped on Sunday evening in the village of Bilhore, near the border with Mali.
Local sources told national broadcaster Omega Radio that Boena, his son David and his daughter-in-law, Ami Sawadogo were released yesterday, however no mention was made of the two granddaughters, Fasne-wendé Ouédraogo and Pélagie Sawadogo, who were also abducted.
It remains unclear if a ransom was paid to secure their release.
Meanwhile, catechist Basnéré Mathieu Sawadogo, and his wife Alizeta, who were abducted two weeks earlier still remain in captivity.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the recent kidnappings, World Watch Monitor reports that the perpetrators are believed to be members of the Fulani ethnic group.
Access to grazing land and water has caused tensions between communities in the African nation.
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Article by Eno Adeogun
Eno Adeogun is a multimedia journalist for Premier.
