U.S. special forces successfully rescued kidnapped American from Nigeria, earning high praise from President Trump.
U.S. special forces successfully rescued kidnapped American Philip Walton from northern Nigeria on Saturday (31 March) and are believed to have killed several of the kidnappers, Reuters quoted two anonymous U.S. officials as saying. None of the U.S. military personnel were injured in the operation.
Walton, 27, was kidnapped Tuesday morning from his home in the southern region of neighboring Niger, Nigeria, by armed militants. Walton has now arrived at the U.S. ambassador’s residence in Niger for a stopover.
Reuters says U.S. Navy SEALs are taking part in the rescue operation. U.S. President Trump tweeted praise, “Today was a huge victory for our very elite U.S. Special Forces.”
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on March 31 that “the United States is committed to the safe return of all kidnapped American citizens. We made good on that commitment last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued an American citizen after he was kidnapped across the border in Niger. Thanks to the extraordinary boldness and capabilities of our military, the support of our intelligence experts, and our diplomatic efforts, this hostage will be reunited with his family.”
The statement stressed, “We will never give up on any kidnapped American hostage.”
White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany told the media that the Trump administration has rescued 55 hostages from 24 countries in the past few years.
Niger, like much of Africa’s Sahel, has been hit by armed attacks by groups linked to al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, despite help from French and U.S. troops, and has a growing security crisis, Reuters said. Four U.S. service members died in an armed ambush in Niger in 2017.
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