A small single-propeller airplane belonging to Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked by an armed man Tuesday (Dec. 2) in South Sudan.
The Cessna Grand Caravan was departing from Juba, South Sudan’s capital, to transport medical supplies to the northeast portion of South Sudan where Samaritan’s Purse is working to provide medical assistance to people in that region.
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Shortly after takeoff the gunman reportedly threatened the pilot and demanded he fly the plane to Chad. After circling for several hours, the pilot told the hijacker the plane needed to land and refuel. After landing, the gunman was taken into custody.
According to a statement from Samaritan’s Purse, the pilot landed the plane in the northern portion of South Sudan. “The Caravan aircraft was en route to Maiwut, South Sudan, to deliver medicines to be used by our mobile medical unit based there. The pilot was eventually able to land the plane in Wau, South Sudan, where the armed hijacker was taken into custody by the National Security Service of South Sudan.”
Police identified the hijacker as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, and said he had snuck on board the plane and hid until after takeoff. Also onboard was the pilot and a Samaritan’s Purse staff member. Full story.
Also see full statement from Samaritan’s Purse.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Daniel Ritchie and originally published by Ministry Watch. Used by permission.
