NIAMEY, Niger — An American aid worker held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.
Officials in Niger unexpectedly announced Monday morning that the two men had taken a special flight to the country’s capital but provided no details. U.S. officials said that the American hostage was not freed in Niger but in the surrounding region that includes Mali, where Dubois was abducted in 2021.
The two men were the highest-profile foreigners known to be held in the region, and their release was the largest since a French woman and two Italian men were freed together in Mali back in October 2020. Woodke had been kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Mali’s border.
Groups have long abducted hostages for ransom in the Sahel, the vast, semi-arid expanse below the Sahara Desert. Previously released captives have described being moved frequently from site to site in harrowing conditions amid sweltering temperatures. The extremists aim to use millions in ransom to fund their jihadi operations, though not all countries engage in payment negotiations.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
US aid worker, French journalist abducted nearly 2 years ago freed in West AfricaA U.S. aid worker from Northern California held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.
Source: KTVU - 🏆 465. / 53 Read more »
French and US hostages released in West Africa after years of captivityFrench journalist Olivier Dubois and U.S. aid worker Jeffery Woodke were both presented at a news conference on Monday in Niger's capital after being held hostage for years by Islamist militants. No human rights ? Hahaha. Stop implicating every west African country in nonsense and give precise reportage
Source: Reuters - 🏆 2. / 97 Read more »
American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freed | CNN PoliticsAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released, President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted on Monday. Six years ago. Trying to remember who had four years to obtain his release....... Jeffery Woodke , held in captivity for more than six years , finally released .
Source: cnni - 🏆 326. / 59 Read more »
American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released.
Source: ABC7 - 🏆 67. / 68 Read more »
American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedJeffery Woodke, a US citizen held hostage for 6 years in Niger, Africa, has been freed; French journalist Olivier Dubois was also released. Wonderful news!
Source: ABC7Chicago - 🏆 284. / 63 Read more »
American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released.
Source: abc7newsbayarea - 🏆 529. / 51 Read more »