Two European women kidnapped by the Daesh terrorist group in Sahel in Niger in 2025 have been freed after months in captivity, according to reports.
Austrian national Eva Gretzmacher, 76, and Swiss citizen Claudia Abbt, 69, were handed over to authorities in Benghazi, eastern Libya, on Wednesday ahead of their expected return home on Thursday.
Gretzmacher was abducted in Agadez on January 11, 2025, while Abbt was kidnapped on April 13, 2025.
Libyan broadcaster Al-Masar reported that Saddam Haftar, deputy commander-in-chief of the Libyan National Army, played a key role in securing their release following appeals from their families.
Expressed gratitude
In video footage broadcast by the channel, the two women appeared tired but expressed gratitude to Marshal Khalifa Haftar and his son for helping secure their freedom.
The circumstances surrounding their release have not been disclosed, and Nigerien authorities had yet to comment on the announcement at the time of the report.
Libyan authorities in Benghazi were also reportedly involved in the release of American missionary Kevin Rideout, who was kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, and later freed in Libya.
