An American citizen has been rescued in Nigeria by the US elite SEAL Team 6 in a dramatic raid, early Saturday.
According to an ABC News report, the elite SEAL Team 6 staged a daring raid in Northern Nigeria, rescuing Philip Walton, 27, who had been taken hostage since October 26.
Walton, who lives with his wife and young daughter on a farm near Massalata, a small village close to the border with Nigeria was kidnapped in Niger Republic and moved to Nigeria by his captors.
“We had to get him before any potential trade or sale,” one US official said.
The SEALs rescued Walton after killing a number of his captors.
According to reports, SEAL Team 6 was chosen for the operation because they are responsible for West Africa.
It was reported that the operation was jointly backed by the U.S, Nigerian and Nigerien governments.
Chief Pentagon spokesman, Jonathan Hoffman in a statement said: “US 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.
“This American citizen is safe and is now in the care of the US Department of State. No US military personnel were injured during the operation.
“We appreciate the support of our international partners in conducting this operation,” Hoffman added.
“The United States will continue to protect our people and our interests anywhere in the world.”
