The Canadian Embassy in Nairobi would not give details, referring journalists to the a Toronto-based African spokesman.

That official pointed to a busy office but promised "to issue a detailed statement in the course of the day".

Canadian Amanda Lindhout, her head covered with a black veil, and Australian Nigel Brennan boarded a small private plane at Mogadishu airport shortly after arriving there with a big security escort made up of pro-government militia, witnesses said.
 
The two made no public statement and were kept away from journalists at the airport by their security escort.

Efforts to gain access to them at their Nairobi hotel by journalism.co.za were frustrated by a tight security cordon.

The two were kidnapped by unknown gunmen on August 23, 2008 on the road leading from Mogadishu to Afgoye, 25 kilometres to the west, where they intended to visit displaced camps.

Their kidnappers were quoted anonymously by at least two news wires saying a ransom of one million dollars (665,000 euros) had been paid for the release of the two.