An Israeli national named Gil Itamar was taken hostage over the weekend in Nigeria and later freed in a successful operation conducted by the Nigerian military, with support and coordination from Israel’s Foreign Ministry. Fortunately, the individual was recovered unharmed.
While Nigerian police reported that the abduction occurred while the Israeli was being accompanied by military personnel, that version of events was quickly disputed by the country’s army.
“Contrary to the police’s claim, the Israeli was alone in his vehicle, without any military escort or driver at the time of his abduction,” the Nigerian army told local news outlets.
Following the operation, Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement confirming its involvement: “The Israeli Embassy in Nigeria and the Department for Israelis Abroad handled the rescue of an Israeli citizen in the northeastern part of the country. The citizen is safe.”
{Matzav.com Israel}