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Jeffery Woodke: Kidnapped US citizen held hostage by terrorists since 2016 released from captivity

'We welcome the release of US citizen Jeffery Woodke, who was held hostage in West Africa for over six years,' Antony Blinken tweeted

ABALAK, NIGER: American humanitarian Jeffrey Woodke was kidnapped in 2016 from his residence in West Africa's Abalak, Niger. Now, after more than six years, he was finally released on Monday, March 20.

President Joe Biden's top official stated that no ransom or concessions were made to the militant organization holding Woodke. The official "described the release as the culmination of years of effort but declined to say what exactly led to him being freed from captivity or where he is now," according to USA Today. On Monday, March 20, Olivier Dubois was also set free after nearly two years in captivity. Dubois, a French journalist, was working on an assignment in Mali in April 2021 when he disappeared. Both men are now being examined by doctors before being given permission to return home.

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Who is Jeffery Woodke?

Woodke, a missionary and humanitarian, was kidnapped after spending 32 years working in the west African nation of Niger. Els Woodke, Woodke's wife, claims that a terrorist organization with ties to ISIS captured Woodke in 2016.

The website Els created states, "On October 14, 2016, some men drove to his house in the early evening in a small pickup truck, got out and killed both of Jeff’s guards, and forced Jeff into the truck at gunpoint. The truck was followed for a while by Jeff’s neighbors but was last seen driving into the night, north towards the Mali border."

Els stated that she "was told that he was in Niamey, the capital of Niger, and later spoke with him for an hour," according to New York Times. She described him as being in "great spirits" and being "safe" after speaking to him.

'Welcome home Jeffery!'

The 71st Secretary of State of the United States, Antony Blinken, tweeted, "We welcome the release of US citizen Jeffery Woodke, who was held hostage in West Africa for over six years. I am grateful to the Nigerien government and our partners worldwide who made this possible. We will never stop working to bring home US nationals held hostage abroad."

Blinken's tweet received numerous replies, with one individual writing, "Thank you Nigeria and our worldwide friends. Thank you @SecBlinken." Another person wrote, "Welcome home Jeffery!" A third person wrote, "Thank you for working tirelessly on behalf of all Americans. Bravo." The positive news was praised by many others.

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