3 Aid Workers Abducted in Central Somalia

The group International Aid Services said one Somalia staffer was shot and critically injured during the Wednesday attack. The group said three Kenyan workers were taken.

However, a resident, Mohamed Sheikh Abdi, said Thursday that the gunmen kidnapped two Kenyans and a Somali translator.

A government official who said he was not allowed to be quoted by name said the three were being taken to Garaad, a town used by Somali pirates. Somali pirates have increased kidnappings in recent years as a way to win ransom payments.

International Aid Services is a Sweden-based aid group that carries out water, food, education and sanitation projects.

AP