(Update 12:20 p.m.: statement from wife)McKinleyville Man Freed After Being Held Hostage Six Years

Jeff Woodke

Jeff Woodke, a McKinleyville man, is widely reported to have been freed after having been kidnapped in Niger in October of 2016.

Jake Sullivan, a US Government official tweeted this morning just before 7 a.m., “I’m gratified & relieved to see the release of U.S. hostage Jeff Woodke after over 6 years in captivity. The U.S. thanks Niger for its help in bringing him home to all who miss & love him. I thank so many across our government who’ve worked tirelessly toward securing his freedom.”

According to a report in the New York Times this morning, his wife, Els Woodke, who is also of McKinleyville, told them “He is safe…I don’t yet know if he is healthy.”

A report in the Daily Mail at the time of Woodke’s kidnapping, “Gunmen stormed the house of a longtime American aid worker in Niger, killing two people before fleeing with the man toward the border with Mali, authorities said.”

The New York Times is reporting that a second hostage was also released at the same time.

The North Coast Journal has more on Jeff Woodke’s release here.

Update 1:20 p.m.:

STATEMENT OF ELS WOODKE REGARDING JEFFERY WOODKE’S RELEASE
7:00am PST March 20, 2023

Els Woodke confirmed this morning that she has been informed by the US government that her husband Jeffery Woodke is free after 6 ½ years of captivity in West Africa. Jeff, a missionary who has been conducting humanitarian aid work in Niger for more than 30 years, was kidnapped from his residence in Abalak, Niger on October 14, 2016. The US and Nigeran governments have long suspected that jihadists have held Jeff in the Sahel since then.

Els has not yet heard from Jeff but she has been told he is in good condition. 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. She praises God for answering the prayers of Christians everywhere who have prayed for this outcome.

Els will release more information later today as it becomes available to her.

For further information: Jeff Neely (719)229-5604, [email protected]; Bob Klamser
(805) 207-2261, [email protected] .

Earlier: McKinleyville Man Reported to Be Kidnapped in Niger