A Ghanaian man has been kidnapped by militants of the Islamic State in Libya, Reuters reports. Islamic state is also known as ISIS or ISIL and has established a caliphate in Syria and Iraq. Their spokesman Mohamed El Hejazi confirmed capturing the Ghanaian to Reuters. "The three African Christians we captured come from Egypt, Nigeria and Ghana", Islamic State said in a statement on social media, without elaborating.

The three were captured in Noufliyah, an Islamic State stronghold southeast of the city of Sirte, said a resident, asking not to be named. Passport pictures of the three were published.

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

The militant group has expanded in the North African country by exploiting chaos and a security vacuum like it did in Iraq and Syria.

Islamic State militants have beheaded dozens and attacked foreign missions in Tripoli, while also fighting forces loyal to Libya's two government.

The official government has been based in the east since losing control of the capital Tripoli a year ago when a rival group called Libya Dawn seized it, setting up its own parliament and government.

In April, a group of 29 Christians from Ethiopia was filmed and beheaded on a beach in Libya. The propaganda video was later posted online. The Ghanaian and the other two Africans now in Islamic State custody may face the same fate.