Missionaries kidnapped by Haitian gang have been released, police say
CBC
The last 12 Canadian and American missionaries from a group kidnapped in October in Haiti have been released, police said on Thursday, ending an ordeal that brought global attention to the Caribbean nation's growing problem of gang abductions.
Seventeen members of the group from Christian Aid Ministries were captured two months ago. Five had been freed in earlier releases.
The final dozen were found by authorities on a mountain called Morne à Cabrit, said police spokesperson Garry Derosier. He did not provide further details on the release.
The group confirmed the release on its website, posting a statement Thursday that said, "We glorify God for answered prayer — the remaining twelve hostages are FREE!"
The Ohio group said it hopes to provide more information later.
"We're feeling great," said Ron Marks, minister at Hart Dunkard Brethren Church in Hart, Mich., whose members included some of the hostages.
Carleton Horst, a member of the church, said congregants received a text message Thursday morning from "someone connected to the situation" that all the hostages had been released.
A mother and four of her children who belong to the congregation were among the hostages. Horst, who is friends with the family, said the church is rejoicing and he's "elated that that portion of things is finally over, just praise the Lord for that."
The missionaries were kidnapped by the 400 Mawozo gang on Oct. 16. There were five children, including an eight-month-old, in the group. Of those kidnapped, 16 were U.S. citizens and one was Canadian. Their Haitian driver also was abducted, according to a local human rights organization.
In addition to Michigan, the hostages are from Ontario, Wisconsin, Ohio, Tennessee, Pennsylvania and Oregon, according to the missionary group.
"Today is the day we have been hoping for, praying for, and working so hard to achieve," said Congressman Bill Huizenga, whose western Michigan congressional district includes Hart.
"I want to thank members of the hostage negotiation team for their diligence in securing the safe release of all the hostages. This is a great day for families in Michigan and across the nation who have been worried about the safety of their loved ones."
Authorities had said the gang was demanding $1 million per person, although it wasn't immediately clear that included the children in the group.
The gang's leader, who goes by the nickname Lanmo Sanjou and has appeared in internet videos wearing a Spider-Man mask, had said he was willing to kill the hostages.
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