US military forces has rescued an American citizen in Nigeria, the Pentagon stated on Saturday, days after he was kidnapped by gunmen in the south of neighbouring Niger and apparently taken across the border.
The hostage, Philip Walton, was kidnapped on Monday night at Massalata, a village about 10 kilometres (six miles) from the border with Nigeria.
Walton is safe and in the care of the US State Department, the Pentagon said in a statement released on Saturday. US forces did not suffer any casualties in the rescue operation, it added.
“The United States is committed to the safe return of all US citizens taken captive,” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a separate 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.
President Donald Trump hailed the rescue operation.
“Big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces today. Details to follow!,” he tweeted.