US special forces rescue kidnapped American citizen in Nigeria
- Forces including Navy SEALs rescued Philip Walton, who was abducted from his home in southern Niger
- The 27-year-old is now at the US ambassador’s residence in Niamey
US special forces rescued an American citizen who had been kidnapped by armed men in an operation on Saturday in northern Nigeria that is believed to have killed several of his captors, US officials said.
Forces including Navy SEALs rescued 27-year-old Philip Walton, who had been abducted on Tuesday from his home in neighbouring southern Niger, two US officials said on condition of anonymity, adding that no American troops were hurt.
A diplomat source in Niger said Walton is now at the US ambassador’s residence in Niamey.
“Big win for our very elite US Special Forces today,” President Donald Trump wrote on Twitter.
“The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
“We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria, where some of our bravest and most skilled warriors rescued a US citizen,” he said.