US Air Force Special Operations flew NAVY SEALS to Nigeria to rescue the son of a missionary, Philip Walton, 27, who was kidnapped in Niger Republic by armed bandits.
The young man was kidnapped in neighboring Niger at his farm Tuesday morning by suspected Fulani herdsmen armed with AK-47 assault rifles but was smuggled into Nigeria through the border.
The kidnappers demanded for $1 million from Phillips dad who has lived in Niger Republic for over 30 years.
The CIA provided intelligence leading to Walton’s whereabouts while the Marine Special Operations elements in Africa helped locate him by tracking the Kidnappers phone.
Very early on Saturday, about 30 US Navy commandos parachuted into the remote area in northern Nigeria where the kidnappers had taken Walton. They hiked about three miles until they came upon the captors’ small encampment.
An intense but brief gunfight followed in which one captor escaped, while six were gunned down.
“We had to get him before any potential trade or sale,” one US official said.
SEAL Team 6 was chosen for the operation because they are responsible for West Africa, Fox News 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,” Jonathan Hoffman, chief Pentagon spokesman, said in a statement.
“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.”
