US aid worker held hostage in West Africa for 6+ years, finally freed by kidnappers

March 20 (UPI) — U.S. aid worker Jeff Woodk, who was held hostage in West Africa for more than six years, has been released, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed Monday.

“I am delighted and delighted to see the release of American hostage Jeff Woodk after more than 6 years in captivity,” Sullivan said. on twitter. “The US is grateful to Niger for helping bring him home to everyone who misses him and loves him. I thank the many in our government who worked tirelessly to secure his freedom.”

Woodke, who was kidnapped by jihadists from his home in Abalak, Niger, in October 2016, has been released outside Niger, according to a senior administration official.

“Today I am pleased to announce that American Jeff Woodk has been released from captivity in West Africa. Jeff was kidnapped while serving the people in the Sahel as a humanitarian worker and I am grateful that he will soon be reunited with his wife Els. and their families after spending more than six years held hostage by terrorists,” President Joe Biden said Monday. in a statement.

“The United States expresses its deepest gratitude to the government of Nigeria, which played an important role in securing his release,” Biden added.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken visited Niger last week and called Woodke’s release “very good news.”

“As you know, I have no higher priority or goal than bringing home any unjustly detained Americans, wherever they may be. We will not rest until they all return home and, like Geoffrey, are reunited with their families.” – Blinken told reporters at the briefing on Monday.

According to National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, Woodk will join his family after a full medical.

“There were no concessions. There were no exchanges here.” – Kirby told reporters. “It was just hard, exhausting, deliberate work by diplomats and other experts directly with the government of Niger to bring him home,” Kirby said.

“He is safe and in the hands of US government officials,” Kirby added. “After a full medical examination, he will be reunited with his loved ones in the near future.”

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