The United States elite forces have rescued an American citizen abducted by gunmen in Niger state and held hostage in northern part of Nigeria.
The said citizen identified as Philip Walton, 27, was abducted by bandits on 26th of October, 2020.
The Pentagon confirmed that the operation was executed on Saturday, 31st October.
In a statement by the Pentagon spokesman, Jonathan Hoffman on Saturday afternoon, the victim was set free during a hostage rescue operation early today.
"U.S. forces conducted a hostage rescue operation during the early hours of 31 October in Northern Nigeria to recover an American citizen held hostage by a group of armed men. This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State. No U.S military personnel were injured during the operation," Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement.
"We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation. The United States will continue to protect our people and our interests anywhere in the world."
The spokesman revealed that the U.S Navy’s elite SEAL Team 6 were flown into northern part of Nigeria to conduct the special operation which reportedly lasted several hours, and left at least 6 of the seven kidnappers eliminated.
The media group also quoted U.S authorities to have said the captors had no affiliation with Boko Haram and other terror groups in the region, but were bandits seeking ransom.
And the American citizen, who was kidnapped on Tuesday was understood to be a missionary working in Niger state.
In another statement, by Mike Pompeo, the Secretary of State, he disclosed that Walton would be reunited with his family.
Pompeo, applauded the military for the successful extraction and reiterated that the United States will always look out for its nationals.
In his words;
“Thanks to the extraordinary courage and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence professionals, and our diplomatic efforts, the hostage will be reunited with his family.
“We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”
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