Rome: Italian priest Pier Luigi Maccalli, who was kidnapped in Niger, West Africa, two years ago, was freed on October 8.
Maccalli is a priest of the Society of African Missions (SMA), an international religious congregation of men.
“We have learned the news of the liberation of our brother, Maccalli,” said Father Antonio Porcellato, Superior General of SMA.
Maccalli was released together with Malian politician Soumaila Cissé, and French humanitarian operator, Mrs. Sophie Pétronin, a French humanitarian worker and another Italian citizen, Nicola Chiacchio.
They were held in Mali (West Africa), reported Radio France Internationale website.
Father Maccalli and Nicola Chiacchio, kidnapped in Niger on September 17, 2018, by jihadist militants.
Father Porcellato thanked people who cared, prayed and offered something about their lives for Maccalli, among them especially the entire Diocese of Crema (Italy), with his Bishop in charge.
“We think and pray for other people who are still in the hands of their kidnappers. We pray for the victims, numerous, of this blind and indiscriminate violence that affects the Sahel, and that has recently struck Burkina Faso once again,” said the Superior General of SMA.
Mali’s President assured all the former or freed hostages would be traveling to the capital Bamako.
He did not provide details on the circumstances of liberation.
Earlier this week several dozens of Jihadist prisoners were freed by the Mali government.
The kidnappers belong to Jihadist terrorist groups linked to Al Qaeda in Islamic Maghreb. Various sources, legal and security confirm that they were used as a means of exchange for the release of hostages.
According to the French Radio France Internationale website said allegedly ransom was paid in exchange for the release of the hostages. During previous hostage liberations in the area, ransom amounts reached tens of millions of euros, reports say.