French Hostage Held In Zaria Arrives Home

[Shola Sholaz]

The French engineer held hostage for 11 months by Islamist militants in Nigeria arrived home Monday after a dramatic escape described as worthy of an action thriller.
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A plane carrying Francis Collomp, accompanied by France's Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, landed early Monday at a military airport outside Paris.
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The 63-year-old emerged from the plane looking extremely tired and drawn, but smiling. He was met by six relatives and Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault.
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Collomp, who lost an estimated 40 kilogrammes (90 pounds) during his captivity but was reported to be in good spirits, was to undergo medical tests and counselling at the Val de Grace military hospital in Paris.
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He will also be debriefed by agents from the DGSE, France's external intelligence agency, on his capture, detention and escape.
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French President Francois Hollande compared Collomp's escape to "an adventure story", saying he was proud of his compatriot and his "exceptional courage".
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Collomp was captured by Islamist militants on December 19, 2012, in the state of Katsina in northern Nigeria.
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The exact circumstances of his escape remained unclear but the different versions all indicate that he daringly seized an opportunity to flee his captors.
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Collomp escaped after locking up his captors who were offering evening prayers, his brother Denis told AFP. He had already tampered with a wire used to lock his cell door.
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He had "prepared the escape by doing physical training" and walking for the equivalent of up to 15 kilometres (nine miles) in his cell every day, Denis Collomp said.

[Folami David]

Very Brave of him! Let's just say Nigeria is not safe for them now, they can come back later!