Operation Seal Team 6 rescues kidnapped US citizen in Niger

A US citizen kidnapped in the West African nation of Niger was rescued in a US military operation in neighboring Nigeria, US officials said Saturday.

The man was taken from his farm in Massalata in southern Niger early Tuesday morning by armed kidnappers who demanded a ransom from the man’s father. A local government official identified him as Philipe Nathan Walton.

The Defense Department confirmed the operation on Saturday, saying it took place in northern Nigeria.

“This US citizen is safe and is now in the care of the US State Department. No US military personnel were injured during the operation,” the department said.

Seal Team 6, along with other members of a joint special operations force, rescued the man, according to US officials with knowledge of the operation but who were not authorized to publicly discuss the operation.

President Donald Trump tweeted that “brave soldiers” had carried out a “daring night rescue operation” and also told reporters that “it was something they had to do because they were playing with American citizens.”

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the rescue of “some of our bravest and most skilled warriors” underscores America’s commitment “to the safe return of all captured American citizens.”

Niger has faced a growing number of attacks by extremists linked to the Islamic State (IS) group and Al Qaeda. Two months ago, militants linked to IS assassinated six French aid workers and their Nigerian guide while visiting a wildlife park east of the capital.

A US official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there are no strong indications that Walton’s kidnapping is related to terrorism and instead “tends to be a kidnapping for ransom.”

But the official said the US government was concerned that the hostage could be passed on to another terrorist group, or that the kidnapping could turn into prolonged hostage-taking.

Walton is now back in Niger.

A local government official told the Associated Press that the kidnappers had demanded ransom from Walton’s father, who lives one kilometer from his son’s farm. No ransom was paid, according to the US official.

Trump has repeatedly promoted his administration’s focus on securing the release of American hostages held by militant groups abroad, as well as other detainees. Two Americans held captive this month by Iranian-backed militants in Yemen were freed, along with the remains of a third person, in exchange for the return of some 250 Houthi rebels from Oman.