French journalist Olivier Dubois left, and Jeffery Woodke, proper, are seen as they arrive on the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on Monday.

Souleymane AG Anara/AFP through Getty Images

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French journalist Olivier Dubois left, and Jeffery Woodke, proper, are seen as they arrive on the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey on Monday.

Souleymane AG Anara/AFP through Getty Images

Jeff Woodke, an American support employee who was held hostage by militants in Niger for greater than six years, has been launched, together with French journalist Olivier Dubois, who was kidnapped by militants in 2021 in neighboring Mali.

Woodke and Dubois appeared collectively earlier than reporters in Niger’s capital Niamey on Monday. Niger Interior Minister Hamadou Souley stated their launch got here after “several months of efforts” by Nigerien authorities, the BBC reported.

Speaking in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken thanked the federal government of Niger, together with members of the State Department, for his or her “tireless efforts” to free Woodke. Blinken didn’t present additional particulars on the circumstances surrounding the discharge.

The group Bring Jeffrey Woodke Home stated Woodke’s spouse, Els, was knowledgeable that her husband was freed.

“Els has not yet heard from Jeff but she has been told he is in good condition,” the group, which is managed by Woodke’s family and friends, wrote in a statement on Monday morning.

“She has expressed her profound thanks to the many people in governments and others around the world who have worked so hard to see this result,” the group added.

A video seize made on October 18, 2016 exhibits U.S. support employee Jeffery Woodke throughout a ceremony to introduce his NGO in Abalak, two days earlier than he was captured.

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A video seize made on October 18, 2016 exhibits U.S. support employee Jeffery Woodke throughout a ceremony to introduce his NGO in Abalak, two days earlier than he was captured.

Stringer/AFP through Getty Images

Woodke, who’s initially from California, served as a missionary and a humanitarian support employee in Niger for over 30 years. In Oct. 2016, a gaggle of males drove to Woodke’s dwelling and held him at gunpoint, his spouse stated at a press conference in 2021. The males, believed to be militants, pressured Woodke right into a trunk and drove towards the border of Mali.

Woodke’s launch additionally comes per week after Blinken grew to become the primary secretary of state to go to Niger.

“I have no higher priority or focus than bringing home any unjustly detained American in the world,” Blinken stated on Monday morning. “We won’t rest until they are all home and like Jeff, reunited with their families.”

Blinken, who traveled to Niger as a part of his Africa tour, announced final Thursday that the U.S. will present $150 million in humanitarian help to assist susceptible populations in Niger and all through the Sahel area.

Dubois, who was a correspondent for French information retailers, was kidnapped in Gao, Mali, in April 2021 by a gaggle affiliated with al-Qaida, the Committee to Protect Journalists beforehand reported.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on Twitter that Dubois was in good well being, describing it a fantastic reduction for his household, fellow journalists and the nation.

Dubois instructed reporters it was “amazing for me to be here, to be free,” including, “I feel tired, but I’m fine,” in accordance with the BBC.

“I want to pay tribute to Niger for its skills in this delicate mission and pay tribute to France, to all those who have helped me to be here today,” he stated.

NPR’s Michele Kelemen contributed reporting.