A gunman hijacked a Cessna Caravan operated by Samaritan’s Purse in South Sudan on Tuesday, but the purpose of the diversion to the country of Chad is not clear. The hijacker hid in the back compartment of the Caravan and took over while it was in flight. Samaritan’s Purse is an evangelical aid organization headed by Franklin Graham, a prominent U.S. evangelical leader. The aircraft was on its way from Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to Maiwut in the country’s northeast where Samaritan’s Purse is providing medical services.
The plane never got to Chad. The pilot apparently circled for hours and then told the hijacker he needed to land for fuel in the town of Way. The hijacker was taken into custody without incident there. Samaritan’s Purse spokeswoman Melissa Strickland issued a statement praising security forces for the “safe outcome” of the drama. It’s not clear if there were any people on the plane besides the pilot and hijacker.
Thankfully the incident turned out okay. Samaritans Purse is an outstanding organization. They quietly go about reaching out to communities in distress.
I love that the pilot “circled for hours” without the bad guy knowing it.