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French journalist Olivier Dubois left, and Jeffery Woodke, proper, are seen as they arrive on the Diori Hamani Worldwide Airport in Niamey on Monday.
Souleymane AG Anara/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
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Souleymane AG Anara/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
French journalist Olivier Dubois left, and Jeffery Woodke, proper, are seen as they arrive on the Diori Hamani Worldwide Airport in Niamey on Monday.
Souleymane AG Anara/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Jeff Woodke, an American assist employee who was held hostage by militants in Niger for greater than six years, has been launched, together with French journalist Olivier Dubois, who was kidnapped by militants in 2021 in neighboring Mali.
Woodke and Dubois appeared collectively earlier than reporters in Niger’s capital Niamey on Monday. Niger Inside Minister Hamadou Souley stated their launch got here after “a number of months of efforts” by Nigerien authorities, the BBC reported.
Talking in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the federal government of Niger, together with members of the State Division, for his or her “tireless efforts” to free Woodke. Blinken didn’t present additional particulars on the circumstances surrounding the discharge.
The group Convey Jeffrey Woodke Residence stated Woodke’s spouse, Els, was knowledgeable that her husband was freed.
“Els has not but heard from Jeff however she has been advised he’s in good situation,” the group, which is managed by Woodke’s family and friends, wrote in a press release on Monday morning.
“She has expressed her profound because of the many individuals in governments and others world wide who’ve labored so laborious to see this end result,” the group added.
A video seize made on October 18, 2016 reveals U.S. assist employee Jeffery Woodke throughout a ceremony to introduce his NGO in Abalak, two days earlier than he was captured.
Stringer/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
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Stringer/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
A video seize made on October 18, 2016 reveals U.S. assist employee Jeffery Woodke throughout a ceremony to introduce his NGO in Abalak, two days earlier than he was captured.
Stringer/AFP by way of Getty Pictures
Woodke, who’s initially from California, served as a missionary and a humanitarian assist employee in Niger for over 30 years. In Oct. 2016, a gaggle of males drove to Woodke’s house and held him at gunpoint, his spouse stated at a press convention in 2021. The boys, believed to be militants, compelled Woodke right into a trunk and drove towards the border of Mali.
Woodke’s launch additionally comes every week after Blinken turned the primary secretary of state to go to Niger.
“I’ve no greater precedence or focus than bringing house any unjustly detained American on the planet,” Blinken stated on Monday morning. “We cannot relaxation till they’re all house and like Jeff, reunited with their households.”
Blinken, who traveled to Niger as a part of his Africa tour, announced final Thursday that the U.S. will present $150 million in humanitarian help to assist weak populations in Niger and all through the Sahel area.
Dubois, who was a correspondent for French information shops, was kidnapped in Gao, Mali, in April 2021 by a gaggle affiliated with al-Qaida, the Committee to Shield Journalists beforehand reported.
On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter that Dubois was in good well being, describing it an awesome reduction for his household, fellow journalists and the nation.
Dubois advised reporters it was “wonderful for me to be right here, to be free,” including, “I really feel drained, however I am positive,” in line with the BBC.
“I need to pay tribute to Niger for its abilities on this delicate mission and pay tribute to France, to all those that have helped me to be right here immediately,” he stated.
NPR’s Michele Kelemen contributed reporting.
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