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UK aid worker released by captors in Somalia UK aid worker released by captors in Somalia
(40 minutes later)
A British security consultant kidnapped six days ago by armed gunmen in Somalia has been released, the charity Save the Children says. A British security consultant kidnapped six days ago by gunmen in Somalia has been released, the charity Save the Children says.
The Zimbabwean-born man was seized in the town of Adado last Thursday. A local colleague seized with him was freed the next day. Zimbabwean-born Frans Barnard was seized in the town of Adado last Thursday. A local colleague seized with him was freed the next day.
A ransom was paid, local elders who were involved in negotiating the man's release told the AFP news agency. Save the Children denied that any ransom was paid for his release, as one local elder had said.
Save the Children said the man was now heading to a place of safety. The charity said Mr Barnard was now heading to a place of safety.
"No ransom was paid. His release happened through negotiations," local official Mohamed Mohamud told Reuters news agency.
'Relatively safe area''Relatively safe area'
The man had gone to the area to see if it was safe enough for Save the Children to set up a new base to help malnourished and sick children, along with their families. Frans Barnard had gone to the area to see if it was safe enough for Save the Children to set up a new base to help malnourished and sick children, along with their families.
But on Thursday evening, a group of masked gunmen stormed the building used as a staff residence.But on Thursday evening, a group of masked gunmen stormed the building used as a staff residence.
High walls and a heavy steel gate reportedly forced the kidnappers to climb in through a window before they fled with their hostages into an area said to be controlled by the hardline Islamist group al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda.High walls and a heavy steel gate reportedly forced the kidnappers to climb in through a window before they fled with their hostages into an area said to be controlled by the hardline Islamist group al-Shabab, which has links to al-Qaeda.
Adado, which is near the Ethiopian border, is also closely linked to pirate groups who routinely take ships and crew hostage and demand hefty ransoms.Adado, which is near the Ethiopian border, is also closely linked to pirate groups who routinely take ships and crew hostage and demand hefty ransoms.
Until now, Adado had been seen as a relatively stable part of Somalia, with aid groups considering relocating there after being forced out of more volatile regions.Until now, Adado had been seen as a relatively stable part of Somalia, with aid groups considering relocating there after being forced out of more volatile regions.
Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Somalia in recent years.Several foreigners have been kidnapped in Somalia in recent years.
Most have been freed unhurt after a ransom has been paid.Most have been freed unhurt after a ransom has been paid.