A U.S. aid worker from Northern California held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.
FILE - US Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks during a joint press conference with Nigerien Foreign Minister Hassoumi Massoudou at the presidential palace in Niamey, Niger, on March 16, 2023.An American aid worker held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.
"I’m very pleased we are now seeing that come to fruition today," Blinken said, thanking his team, and Niger, for their efforts. "We won’t rest until they’re all home, like Jeffery reunited with their families." The press organization Reporters Without Borders, which had long pushed for Dubois’ release, said that "we feel joy and immense relief," and thanked French authorities.
Woodke had been kidnapped from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016 by men who ambushed and killed his guards and forced him at gunpoint into their truck, where he was driven north toward Mali’s border. "While it remains unclear what circumstances led to the release of the hostages, it might not be a coincidence that their freedom came as Blinken wrapped up his visit to Niger and earmarked millions of dollars in aid, some of which could have oiled the Niger government to use its intelligence apparatus in negotiating their release," Alkhouri said.
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French and US hostages released in West Africa after years of captivityFrench journalist Olivier Dubois and U.S. aid worker Jeffery Woodke were both presented at a news conference on Monday in Niger's capital after being held hostage for years by Islamist militants.
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American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freed | CNN PoliticsAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released, President Joe Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan tweeted on Monday.
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American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released.
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American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedJeffery Woodke, a US citizen held hostage for 6 years in Niger, Africa, has been freed; French journalist Olivier Dubois was also released.
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American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released.
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American citizen held hostage for 6 years in West Africa has been freedAn American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released.
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