There is growing concern for the members of a church mission group in the East Bay, who are now trapped in the West African nation of Niger, after a military coup seized power from the country’s democratically elected president one week ago.
The US is currently evacuating non-essential embassy staff and some of their family members, but so far, other Americans who are there, including 11 members of the"It’s been a roller coaster of emotions," said Steve Minor, speaking to KTVU via video chat from Niger on Wednesday. Minor and his wife Maria, have been desperately trying to find a way out of Niger since the coup began. "We’ve just kind of been sheltering in place here and just waiting to hear something.
"That was when the borders got locked down, all the transportation got shut down," said Logan Heyer, whose wife and his 19-year-old daughter are also trapped with the group in the country. It's the teen’s first missionary trip to Africa. Heyer, along with the Minor's daughter Hannah Foster, are now in close contact with the officers of Senator Dianne Feinstein and Congressman John Garimendi. Both offices are now working to secure the group’s return to the US.Representative Garimendi released a statement on Wednesday, saying: "My team is working closely with the state department and the constituents to get them home safely. However, I cannot share additional details at this time due to operational security issues.
Her parents, meantime, are doing their best to keep themselves occupied by helping ready a local school for upcoming fall classes.
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