Armed Hijacker Seizes NC-Based Mission Plane Before Dramatic Safe Landing in South Sudan

A plane owned by North Carolina–based Samaritan’s Purse was hijacked Tuesday in South Sudan by an armed man who forced a mid-flight diversion before being arrested. No injuries were reported.

The Cessna Grand Caravan was carrying medical supplies from Juba to Maiwut when the gunman, identified as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, emerged from the rear cabin and demanded the pilot fly to Chad.

Instead, the pilot safely landed in Wau, where security forces quickly detained the hijacker. Only the pilot and one crew member were on board.

Yusuf is from the disputed Abyei Administrative Area, an oil-rich region claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan. Hijackings of humanitarian aircraft are uncommon but underscore lingering instability in the region.

Boone-based Samaritan’s Purse said it will continue med