Islamic State group affiliates in Libya have kidnapped three Christian men, including an Egyptian, they said in a brief statement circulating on social media.

 

The statement featured copies of their passports, showing one man from Nigeria, another from Ghana, and the third an Egyptian man from Upper Egypt's Sohag who, according to the published picture, is a manual laborer.

 

The statement did not provide further details or comments.

 

Meanwhile, Reuters reported on Saturday that the kidnapping took place in Noufliyah, an Islamic State stronghold southeast of the city of Sirte, according to a resident who asked not to be named.

 

Mohamed El Hejazi, a military spokesman loyal to the internationally recognised government based in the east, also told Reuters that the abduction happened in the small town.

 

In February, the Islamic State group in Libya beheaded 20 Egyptian Copts. Shortly thereafter, Egypt conducted airstrikes on group targets in Libya.

 

The militant group has expanded in Libya, taking advantage of the current political chaos and security vacuum, after gaining strong footholds in Iraq and Syria.