Samaritan’s Purse Plane Hijacked in South Sudan, Suspect Apprehended
(Photo: Samaritan’s Purse)
An unexpected turn of events unfolded earlier this week when a Samaritan’s Purse aircraft on a mission to deliver medical aid to South Sudan faced a hijacking incident. Fortunately, all individuals on board escaped unharmed, and authorities swiftly detained the suspect.
The Evangelical humanitarian organization confirmed that the Cessna Grand Caravan, a plane used exclusively within Africa, encountered the ordeal on Tuesday while en route to Maiwut, South Sudan. The aircraft was tasked with delivering crucial medicine to a mobile medical unit operated by the charity, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The hijacker, armed and undetected, boarded the plane, which was carrying a pilot along with a staff member from Samaritan’s Purse. The pilot managed to bring the plane safely to the ground in Wau, South Sudan.
Following the landing, South Sudan’s National Security Service took immediate action, arresting the hijacker. “We praise God that no one was seriously injured, and we are grateful to the security forces for their support and swift action on the ground to resolve the situation and bring a safe outcome,” stated Samaritan’s Purse.
The hijacker has been named as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, a resident of the Abyei Administrative Area, a contested oil-rich region between South Sudan and Sudan, as reported by The Associated Press. It is believed he boarded the plane before its departure, with intentions reportedly set on reaching Chad.
Led by the Rev. Franklin Graham, Samaritan’s Purse has a long-standing presence in South Sudan, engaging in numerous charity efforts. The organization has previously faced perilous situations, including the 2017 abduction of eight staff members in the Mayendit region by alleged local rebel forces. The workers were eventually released unharmed, with Samaritan’s Purse affirming no ransom was paid despite government claims.
Tragedy struck again last month when a plane, operated by Nari Air and carrying two tons of Samaritan’s Purse supplies, crashed en route from Juba. The incident resulted in the deaths of all three onboard, approximately 12 miles from the Leer Airstrip in Leer County, close to the Sudan border. Bikram Rai, Samaritan’s Purse deputy director in South Sudan, confirmed to Reuters, “Our team has reached the crash site, and it is with deep sadness that I share the confirmation that all three crew members have passed away.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
