Armed men kidnap high-ranking security official in Haiti

James Boyard's abduction is the highest-ranking abduction in the violence-wracked country in recent years, according to reports. Armed men in Haiti kidnap high-ranking security official Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Copyright current_year BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Residents flee their homes following clashes between armed gangs in Port-au-Prince last month A woman holds a canister and has a bag on her head. She wears a green dress. In her other hand she holds the hand of a girl. The girl holds the hand of a boy. Armed men kidnap high-ranking security official in Haiti Armed men in Haiti have kidnapped the defence minister's chief of staff, the highest-ranking official to be kidnapped in the violence-wracked Caribbean country in recent years. Top security official James Boyard, who is also inspector general of Haiti's police, was seized in the island's capital Port-au-Prince on Thursday. Both the Associated Press news agency and the New York Times confirmed his abduction via sources, with the newspaper adding Boyard's wife and six-year-old daughter were also taken. Both the Associated Press news agency and confirmed his abduction via sources, with the newspaper adding Boyard's wife and six-year-old daughter were also taken. A ransom has been requested, according to the New York Times, who cited a person familiar with the case. Boyard, a highly respected security expert, is chief of staff to Mario Andrésol who was appointed in March. He was tasked with helping rebuild Haiti's armed forces. Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group, told AP news agency kidnappings are increasingly occurring in areas of Port-au-Prince once considered safe. He added gang members have been kidnapping people with double nationalities and targeting public officials, which could mean they are trying to seek higher ransoms or possibly dissuade authorities from attacking gang-controlled areas where hostages are held. Gang violence has ravaged the Caribbean country for years and the multinational police force sent to contain it has struggled to enter areas where gangs hold sway. Gang violence has ravaged the Caribbean country for years and the multinational police force sent to contain it has struggled to enter areas where gangs hold sway. So far this year, gang-related violence has resulted in at least 2,310 deaths, 1,106 injuries and 99 kidnappings, according to the United Nations earlier this month. It has also caused record levels of displacement with nearly 1.5 million people without a place to live, according to the latest figures released by the UN migration agency. Aerial view of Artibonite region north of Port-au-Prince. Photo taken on 11 September, 2023 At least 16 killed and thousands displaced by gang attack in rural Haiti Stylised image showing a gang member in Haiti with a mask over his head, with one eye partially visible through a thin slit. He is holding a large black gun, which is outlined in white, with both hands. Smugglers' paradise: How US guns flow to gang-ravaged Haiti John McGinn's goal was enough as Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 at the Boston Stadium to record their first win at a World Cup for 36 years.