- Former hostage, Philip Walton, was kidnapped in Niger Republic and moved to Northern Nigeria for safekeeping by terrorists
United States (U.S.) Secretary of State, Michael Pompeo, on Saturday confirmed that it’s elite Navy SEAL Team 6 rescued an American hostage, Philip Walton, during a daring raid in Northern Nigeria.
The Navy’s SEAL Team 6 was chosen for the operation because they are responsible for West Africa.
Pompeo said in a statement issued by the U.S. Embassy, Abuja that “the United States is committed to the safe return of all U.S. citizens taken captive.
“We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a U.S. 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.”
Earlier, Jonathan Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, said in a statement that “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.
“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.”
Sources said that Walton was kidnapped in Niger Republic earlier this week and that the hostage rescue took place in Northern Nigeria earlier on Saturday.
The sources added that the SEALs rescued Walton after killing a number of his captors.