Islamic extremists released a U.S. aid worker and a French journalist in West Africa on Monday.
The men appeared to be physically well when they spoke with reporters in Niamey, Niger’s capital
American aid worker Jeffery Woodke was kidnapped in his home in Abalak, Niger, in 2016 by a group of men who killed his guards and took him hostage.
- His wife later said that JNIM, an al-Qaida-linked group, had demanded millions of dollars for his release.
- French journalist Olivier Dubois was abducted by JNIM in Mali in 2021. Following his release he told reporters: "It’s amazing for me to be here, to be free."
Last week U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Niger and announced $150M in direct assistance to the Sahel region where both men were abducted.
- Laith Alkhouri, CEO of Intelonyx Intelligence Advisory, speculated that the announcement "could have oiled the Niger government to use its intelligence apparatus" to secure the release of the hostages.
