U.S. aid worker, French journalist freed after years held hostage in West Africa

Officials in Niger unexpectedly announced Monday morning that the two men had taken a special flight to the country's capital but provided no details.

An American aid worker held by Islamic extremists in West Africa for more than six years and a French journalist abducted almost two years ago were both freed Monday, authorities said.

They were brought together to Niger’s capital. U.S. officials said no ransom had been paid for aid worker Jeffery Woodke, praising Niger’s government for helping his release. The French government did not comment on how journalist Olivier Dubois’ freedom was won.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a visit to Niger last week and announced $150 million in direct assistance to the Sahel region.

Officials in Niger unexpectedly announced Monday morning that the two men had taken a special flight to the country’s capital but provided no details. U.S. officials said that the American hostage was not freed in Niger but in the surrounding region that includes Mali, where Dubois was abducted in 2021.

The two men were the highest-profile foreigners known to be held in the region, and their release was the largest since a French woman and two Italian men were all freed together in Mali back in October 2020.

The press organization Reporters Without Borders, which had long pushed for Dubois’ release, said that “we feel joy and immense relief,” and thanked French authorities.

Els Woodke, released a statement through a family spokesman saying she had not yet spoken with her husband but had been told he was in good condition.

“She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome,” the statement read.