US President, Donald Trump is in high spirits after an American citizen Philip Walton was spirited out of from the den of the Boko Haram terrorists in Sambisa Forest, by a team of SEAL forces in a stealth operation.
Forces including navy Seals rescued Walton, 27, who was abducted on Tuesday from his home in neighbouring southern Niger, two US officials said on condition of anonymity, adding that no US troops were hurt.
Philip Walton, who was abducted by a criminal gang, was rescued by SEAL Team 6, CBS News national security correspondent David Martin reports. Officials had feared the gang would sell him to terrorists operating in the region.
“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,” Chief Pentagon spokesman Jonathan Hoffman said in a statement Saturday. “This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the U.S. Department of State.”
The statement said no U.S military personnel were injured in the operation.
Walton, described by a defence official as an American farmer, was abducted in Niger earlier this week, Martin reports. He was then taken across the border to Nigeria, according to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
The criminal gang that captured Walton was based in the small village of Niamey in southwestern Niger, Martin reported. They apparently intended to hold him hostage for a ransom.
Six captors were involved, and five were killed during Walton’s rescue while one got away, according to a defence official.
A defence official said the raid was carried out with the cooperation and support of both Niger and Nigeria.
President Trump appeared to praise the rescue on Twitter Saturday morning. “Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow!” the president tweeted.
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Last night, our Country’s brave warriors rescued an American hostage in Nigeria. Our Nation salutes the courageous soldiers behind the daring nighttime rescue operation and celebrates the safe return of yet another American citizen!
“The United States is committed to the safe return of all U.S. citizens taken captive,” Pompeo said in a statement Saturday. “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,” Pompeo said.
Source: The Lead
