BOSASSO, Somalia (Reuters) - Gunmen in Somalia's northern Puntland region kidnapped a French journalist on Sunday, the area's deputy governor said.

"A French journalist has been kidnapped by unknown gunmen," Yusuf Mumin Bidde told Reuters. "Puntland security officials are now meeting on that issue."

He had no information on the identity of the reporter or his media organisation.

The reporter's driver told Reuters the attack took place some 70 km (45 miles) east of Puntland's main town of Bosasso.

"I, with the translator, tried to talk to the gunmen who demanded a $70,000 ransom," Omar Ahmed said.

He said the journalist was working on a story about Somali migrants being smuggled to Yemen.