Somalia's journalists' union believes that a Canadian and another reporter are being held hostage by gunmen in Mogadishu, one of the world's most lawless places.
"No formal claim of responsibility has been made and the motive for the kidnapping remains unknown. As well, there have been no demands," the National Union of Somali Journalists said Sunday in a statement.
The NUSOJ identified the two as Amanda Lindhout, 27 -- originally from Red Deer, Alta. -- and Nigel Brennan, from Australia, who is believed to be 37.
According to The Associated Press, their Somali driver and two bodyguards were also taken hostage in Saturday's incident.
"It is not clear whether they are being held for political purposes, (as) bargaining chips or for financial purposes. But journalists who spoke on condition of anonymity for their security said the abduction seemed to be a pre-planned attack," the union said.
The two journalists were on a visit to a camp for people who had fled the chaos of Mogadishu when the attack occurred.
We are appalled by this cruel abduction of journalists and call for the immediate release of our colleagues," NUSOJ Secretary General Omar Faruk Osman said in the statement.
"They were simply doing their job of reporting the story and presenting the plight of Somali people to the world."
On Saturday, Lindhout's mother, Lorinda, told CTV Calgary that her daughter was there because she felt to be a good journalist, she had to be on the frontlines to tell peoples' stories.
"And the humanitarian side of everything was, is, huge for Amanda, to bring that to the light, so that people can help," she said.
Canada's nearest diplomatic mission is in Kenya. Foreign Affairs Canada said officials there are in contact with Somalia's government.
Kidnappings for ransom are relatively common in Somalia. But domestic journalists have also been deliberately murdered.
With files from The Canadian Press and The Associated Press
