Niger: A former German hostage kidnapped in Niger has been rescued by Algerian authorities.

Ulumaskan Sinan arrived safely at Boufarik Air Base, south of Algiers, after being transported from In Guezzam, in the extreme south of the country, near the Nigerien border. The Algerian Ministry of Defense has not provided details about the exact location of his recovery or the circumstances of the operation.

The German national indicated that he first spent four days in the desert with an initial group of kidnappers. He was then reportedly handed over to a second group that held him for about twelve to thirteen days under conditions he described as “very poor.”

Before his transfer, Ulumaskan Sinan thanked the Algerian authorities for their hospitality and the care he received. He also referred to the rescue operation as “large-scale” and “very well executed,” particularly considering the conditions of the Sahelian environment.

An operation conducted in a tense border area

The south of Algeria and the border areas with Niger and Mali are facing the presence of armed groups and criminal networks active in trafficking and kidnappings. Algerian authorities have not publicly identified the group responsible for the kidnapping, and no information has been released regarding a possible ransom demand.

The German national is expected to be handed over to his country’s authorities soon. The details and timing of this transfer have not been clarified.

This rescue comes after the release in January 2025 of the Spanish national Gilbert Navarro. Captured in southern Algeria, he was later taken to Mali before being freed thanks to an operation by Algerian authorities.