US Special Forces, Seal Team 6 have successfully rescued an American Citizen named Phillip Walter, 27 in Nigeria in the early hours of Saturday morning.
Walter who is a livestock farmer was kidnapped from his home in the Southern Niger Republic by gunmen on the 26th of October while his family were left unhurt.
According to reports, the operation was carried with the help of both Niger and Nigerian authorities and there were casualties on the side of the American forces. However, seven of his captors were successfully neutralised.
This development was confirmed by the US Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo in a statement.
He said;
The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive. We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen after a group of armed men took him, hostage, across the border in Niger.
“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.
US President, Donald Trump also tweeted about the successful operation.
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1322568272483475457?s=19
A US diplomatic source confirmed that Walter has now been taken to the US ambassador to Niger residence in Niamey.
Source: The Guardian
