Officials from the US Department of Defense and US Department of State have not linked the kidnappers to any terrorist organization. official speaking on the operation, the CIA provided intelligence on Walton's location and that elements of Marine Special Operations Command helped locate him. The rescue operation involved the governments of Niger and Nigeria working together with the United States. After a short but intense firefight, Walton was moved to an extraction point, where he and the rescue force were flown out of the area. Once on the ground, they moved on foot for about three miles (five kilometers) to the site where Walton was held. The rescue force, consisting of around 30 operators, was inserted into the area via parachute from Air Force Special Operations aircraft. 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 of seven gunmen. The country sent additional security reinforcements to the area and began efforts with the United States to secure the release of Walton. The Nigerien 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 kidnappers then demanded a US$1 million ransom from Walton's father via a phone call.
The kidnappers initially demanded money from Walton, but abducted him after he was only able to offer US$40. Walton was kidnapped by six men armed with Kalashnikovs, from his farm in Massalata in southern Niger in the early morning of 27 October 2020. His father lives in Birni-N'konni, and has lived in Niger for about 30 years.
Philip Walton is an American citizen and the son of missionaries, who has lived in Massalata with his wife and child for two years. Additionally American aid worker Jeffery Woodke was kidnapped from Abalak in October 2016, and was believed to be held in Mali before his release on 20 March 2023. 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. In 2020, Niger experienced a multitude of attacks by extremists linked to both Islamic State (IS) groups and Al-Qaeda. 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.
5 KC-135R Stratotanker aerial refueling aircraft.6 C-17A Globemaster III transport aircraft.30 Navy SEALs and special operations personnel Marine Corps Special Operations Command Ĭ.Naval Special Warfare Development Group.
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