Kidnapping of French tourist

Nigerien authorities reported on 22 April 2010 that a French national and his Algerian driver were kidnapped in the evening of 21 April. The abduction reportedly took place not far from the northwestern town of Tiguidan Tessoun near the Malian and Algerian borders. The Frenchman is believed to have been a tourist. No information was available regarding who may be behind the abduction, and authorities in neighboring Mali were also put on alert.