Summary (tl;dr)

A Samaritan's Purse aid plane, led by Franklin Graham, was hijacked in South Sudan on December 2, 2025, but landed safely with no serious injuries, and the assailant was apprehended.

Essential Background

Samaritan's Purse is an evangelical Christian humanitarian aid organization that delivers physical and spiritual assistance globally, often using its own aircraft fleet for rapid response to crises and delivery of essential supplies. Franklin Graham serves as the president and CEO of the organization.

The Full Story

On Tuesday, December 2, 2025, a Samaritan's Purse relief plane, a Cessna Grand Caravan, was hijacked in South Sudan. The aircraft, carrying a pilot and one staff member, departed from Juba and was en route to Maiwut to deliver critical medical supplies for a mobile medical unit. An armed individual, later identified as Yasir Mohammed Yusuf, had hidden in the rear cabin before takeoff and emerged during the flight, demanding the pilot divert to Chad. The skilled pilot managed to circle for several hours, convincing the hijacker that the plane needed to refuel. The pilot then safely landed the aircraft in Wau, South Sudan, where the hijacker was swiftly taken into custody by the National Security Service of South Sudan. Samaritan's Purse confirmed that no one onboard was seriously injured.

Why It Matters

This incident underscores the inherent dangers faced by humanitarian aid workers and organizations operating in volatile regions globally, particularly in areas like South Sudan which experience ongoing instability and conflict. The successful and safe resolution of the hijacking highlights the bravery of the pilot and the prompt action of local security forces, while also bringing attention to the crucial need for robust airport security measures for humanitarian flights.

Geographic Location

• Juba, Central Equatoria State, South Sudan (point of departure for the hijacked plane)
• Maiwut, Upper Nile State, South Sudan (intended destination for medical supplies)
• Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan (where the plane landed and the hijacker was arrested)