Nairobi (Sunatimes) A French woman who was allegedly kidnapped by Somali pirates from the coastal town of Lamu in Kenya is reportedly taken to Somalia after an apparent gun battle between the pirates and Kenyan coastguards, according to the latest reports from Kenyan officials.

Al-Shabaab Millitia Spokesman Ali Mohamed said the French woman now is our hand.

The district commissioner of Lamu Stephen Ikua confirmed that the gunmen escaped into Somalia with the elderly French hostage, according to an interview he gave to AFP.

The 66-year old disabled French woman named Maria Dedieu was kidnapped from her home located at Manda Island by teen-armed gunmen believed to belong to al-Shabaab militants.

Her abduction comes barely three weeks after a British woman was abducted and her husband killed by gunmen who are currently holding her in central Somalia.

By Dahir Alasow