>> An American hostage kidnapped in Niger earlier this week has been freed in a raid by US special forces, the Pentagon has announced. >> Philip Walton was abducted on Monday from a village close to the border with Nigeria. >> He was taken across the border into Nigeria and rescued on Saturday. >> Jihadist and criminal groups are known to operate in the area. It's thought at least six hostages are currently being held captive in the Sahel area. >> Mr Walton was abducted from the village of Massalata, where he had been living with his wife and child for two years, his father told AFP news agency.