US special forces rescue an American citizen Philip Walton in Nigeria kidnapped on Tuesday from his home in neighboring Niger.

 

US Government working with the Nigerian and Niger governments rescued an American citizen Philip Walton in northern Nigeria on Saturday October 31, 2020.

ICMS, Inc. Reports 

By Tom Okure, Ph.D.

A 27 years old US citizen by name Philip Walton was rescued by US navy seals in an operation on Saturday in northern Nigeria. The operation was conducted jointly by the US government in collaboration with Nigerian and Niger governments working together.

US navy seals image

All but one of the kidnappers are believed to have been killed in the operation in northern Nigeria.

Phillip Walton and his family have lived in Niger for about 30 years raising sheep, poultry and camels in a border town in Niger near Nigeria.  The abductors are alleged to have been six men riding motorcycles and equipped with assault rifles who arrived at the Walton’s home in southern Niger’s Massalata village early on Tuesday. The kidnappers demanded money and searched their home before leaving with Phillip Walton. His wife, young daughter and brother were left behind.

Intelligence provided by the CIA led to Walton's whereabouts while US African Marine Special Operations helped to locate Walton by tracking the abductors mobile phone.

US president Trump in a statement while campaigning in Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon said: “Last night, at my direction, the United States military conducted a successful operation to rescue an American hostage in Nigeria, kidnapped just 96 hours earlier. United States Special Forces executed a daring nighttime operation to rescue their fellow American with exceptional skill, precision and bravery … The former hostage is currently in good health and has been reunited with his family….”

In another statement Mike Pompeo, US secretary of state said: “The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive. We delivered on that commitment late last night in Nigeria … We will never abandon any American taken hostage.”

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All rights reserved by Tom Okure, Ph.D CEO of Inter-Continental Mgt. Systems, Inc (or ICMS Inc). ICMS, Inc, is a multifaceted business and management consulting firm with its head office in Albany, New York.