American Forces Rescue Citizen from Bandits in Nigeria
A United States’ citizen, Philip Walton, has been rescued by elite commandos of the US military during a high-risk operation, in a state in northern Nigeria.
PRNigeria gathered that the operation was in a collaborative effort with Nigerien and Nigerian security services after Walton, 27, was abducted by bandits in the Niger Republic on October 26.
According to ABC, Walton lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria.
US and Nigerien officials had said that Walton was kidnapped from his backyard last Monday after assailants asked him for money. But he only offered $40 USD and was then taken away by force.
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In the operation, involving governments of the US, Niger and Nigeria working together to rescue Walton quickly, the elite SEAL Team Six carried out the rescue mission and killed all but one of the captors, officials with direct knowledge about the operation said.
Pentagon chief spokesperson, Jonathan Hoffman, disclosed that, “US 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.”
He further said: “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.”
By PRNigeria
