2020 Nigeria hostage rescue

During the early hours of 31 October 2020, United States Naval Special Warfare operators from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU), parachuted from Air Force Special Operations aircraft of the 352d Special Operations Wing, and conducted a raid in Northern Nigeria, resulting in the rescue of an American hostage and the killing of six of the seven captors.[2] The hostage, 27-year-old Philip Walton, had been kidnapped in front of his family at his home in the village of Massalata in neighboring Niger on 26 October by armed gunmen, who intended to sell him to armed terrorist groups in the area.[4][5][6][7][8]

2020 Nigeria hostage rescue
Date31 October 2020
Location
Northern Nigeria
Result

Mission success

  • Hostage rescued
Belligerents
 Gunmen
Units involved

Joint Special Operations Command

United States Air Force

Pre mission support:

Strength

c. 30 DEVGRU operators Aircraft:[3]

 6–7 gunmen
Casualties and losses
None 5–6 killed

Background

In 2020, Niger experienced a multitude of attacks by extremists linked to both Islamic State (IS) groups and Al-Qaeda. About two months prior to the kidnapping of Walton, IS-linked militants killed six French aid workers and their Niger guide while they were visiting a wildlife park near the capital Niamey.[9] Additionally American aid worker Jeffery Woodke was kidnapped from Abalak in October 2016, and is believed to be held in Mali.[10]

Philip Walton is an American citizen and the son of missionaries, who has lived in Massalata with his wife and child for two years. His father lives in Birni-N'konni, and has lived in Niger for about 30 years.[10]

Kidnapping and rescue

Walton was kidnapped by six men armed with Kalashnikovs,[10] from his farm in Massalata in southern Niger in the early morning of 27 October 2020.[9] The kidnappers initially demanded money from Walton, but abducted him after he was only able to offer US$40.[11] The kidnappers then demanded a US$1 million ransom from Walton's father[12] via a phone call.[10]

The Nigerian Interior Ministry announced the incident via a statement read on national radio, which claimed that the kidnappers had searched Walton's home before fleeing with him. The country sent additional security reinforcements to the area and began efforts with the United States to secure the release of Walton.[10]

On 31 October 2020, operators from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, known as SEAL Team Six, rescued Philip Walton in a night-time raid, killing six out of the seven gunmen. The rescue force, consisting of around 30 operators, was flown to the area by Air Force Special Operations aircraft from the 352d Special Operations Wing.[13]

Officials from the US Department of Defense and US Department of State have not linked the kidnappers to any terrorist organization.[11]

Reaction

US President Donald Trump hailed the operation and the rescue team on Twitter, where he said that the operation was a "big win for our very elite U.S. Special Forces" and added "[...] we got our young man back."[14] Trump also referenced the rescue at a campaign speech in Pennsylvania stating; "The kidnappers wished they had never done it." and "...we got our young man back."[13]

Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also reacted on Twitter where he described the operation as "outstanding."[15] White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany spoke on Fox & Friends about the rescue and stated that the president prioritizes the safety of American citizens.[13]

Mick Mulroy, a former deputy assistant secretary of defense and retired CIA officer, said "These types of operations are some of the most difficult to execute. Any mistake could easily lead to the death of the hostage. The men and women of JSOC, and the CIA should be proud of what they did here. And all Americans should be proud of them. “ Eric Oehlerich, a retired Navy SEAL, said, "Men in these top-tier special forces units train their entire adult lives to be ready when called upon, hostage rescue operations are inherently dangerous. Those men put someone else's life above their own, they do so selflessly....it's an illustration of utter commitment."[2]

See also

References
  1. https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/12/22/you-were-situation-room-we-were-high-fiving-airmen-brief-dod-chief-sporty-hostage-rescue-support.html
  2. Meek, James Gordon; Castano, Aicha El Hammar; Finnegan, Conor (31 October 2020). "American hostage Philip Walton rescued in dramatic military operation: Officials". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  3. Cenciotti, David (9 November 2020). "Dissecting The U.S. Hostage Rescue Operation In Nigeria: Here Are All The Assets That Took Part In The Raid". The Aviationist. Retrieved 19 November 2020.
  4. "Niger : l'otage américain enlevé à Massalata a été libéré". Niamey et les 2 jours. Retrieved 2020-11-03.
  5. Schmitt, Eric (October 31, 2020). "Navy Commandos Rescue American Kidnapped in Niger". New York Times.
  6. Barbara Starr; Ryan Browne. "US special operations forces rescue American citizen held hostage in Nigeria". CNN.
  7. "SEAL Team 6 rescues U.S. citizen Philip Walton in Nigeria". CBS News.
  8. Nicole Gaouette; Tim Lister. "US citizen abducted in Niger, State Department says". CNN.
  9. Tucker, Eric (October 31, 2020). "US citizen kidnapped in West Africa rescued in military operation". ABC7 Chicago. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  10. "Kidnappers of American in Niger demand ransom: official". Modern Ghana. October 29, 2020. Retrieved 2020-11-04.
  11. Slotkin, Jason (2020-10-31). "U.S. Special Operations Forces Rescue American Hostage In Nigeria". NPR. Retrieved 2020-11-02.
  12. Levine, Jon (2020-10-31). "Navy SEALs rescue American hostage Philipe Nathan in Nigeria". New York Post. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  13. Tomlinson, Lucas (2020-10-31). "American hostage rescued in West Africa by SEAL Team 6 in daring raid". Fox News. Retrieved 2020-11-01.
  14. Krasny, Ros; Sink, Justin; Capel, Charles (2020-10-31). "'We Got Our Young Man Back,' Trump Says of Nigeria Rescue". Bloomberg News. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
  15. Majeed, Zaini (2020-10-31). "Donald Trump Hails US Special Forces For Rescuing American Citizen Held Hostage In Niger". Republic World. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
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