The Somali government has confirmed the kidnapping of an Alberta journalist.
27-year old Amanda Lindhout and fellow Australian journalist Nigel Brennan, along with their Somali driver and two guards were reportedly abducted at gunpoint Saturday while travelling south of Somalia's war-torn capital, Mogadishu, to do a story on war refugees.
Lindhout, who was based in Baghdad and filed news stories for an Iranian broadcaster, grew up in the Red Deer area and had taken some photography courses.
She wasn't finished her schooling when she got an offer to report for an Iranian news agency.
In her latest travels, she was freelancing in Africa for several news outlets, and was reportedly working on stories regarding the food crisis in Somalia.
CTV News spoke by telephone with Lindhout's mother Lorinda who lives in British Columbia.
She says some people have made comments in the past about it being too dangerous for Amanda to be in war torn regions, but Lorinda says it is what her daughter is compelled to do.
"I just want people to know she's there because, first of all, she wants to be the best journalist she can and she feels like to be the best journalist, she has to be on the front lines and she has to be with the people to tell their story. And the humanitarian side of everything is huge for Amanda, to bring that to light so people can help."
Foreign Affairs says it is working to confirm Amanda Lindhout's abduction, and then the government will begin working to have her released.
The Canadian government has been advising against all travel in Somalia.
Jesse Johnston, a Calgary reporter who knows Lindhout, says he's worried about her.
"She was taken captive in one of the most dangerous cities in the world at gunpoint. There's a lot to fear right now."
