BAIDOA, Somalia- The Militant group al-Shabaab is demanding a ransom for the release of seven aid workers they have abducted on Saturday in Southern Somalia, Garowe Online reports.

Al-Shabaab has demanded $200,000 to set free seven humanitarian workers, including four women and a driver, who are currently being held captive in al-Shabaab-held Dalandole district in Bay region.

Bay regional administration officials said local elders are making efforts to release the aid workers abducted, after armed militants attacked their convoy near Baidoa town on Saturday.

They added that the relief staffers who are all Somali nationals are employed by a local NGO named GREDO that delivers nutrition assistance to the famine-hit people in Bay region of Southern Somalia.

The NGO did not comment on the abduction of its employees.

Last April, al-Shabaab kidnapped in four local aid workers in Gedo region, and released them after ransom. The group banned International aid agencies from operating in areas under its control.

GAROWEONLINE