Rescuing American Hostage in Northern Nigeria Took Just 60 Seconds – FBI Director Nominee

FBI director nominee reveals it took only 60 seconds to rescue an American hostage in Northern Nigeria, highlighting the efficiency of the operation.

Kash Patel, the nominee for FBI Director under President Donald Trump, disclosed on Thursday that U.S. Navy SEAL Team Six executed a dramatic hostage rescue in northern Nigeria, successfully saving an American citizen in just 60 seconds.

The mission focused on rescuing Philip Walton, a 27-year-old son of an American missionary. He had been abducted by armed bandits from neighboring Niger and was being held for ransom in northern Nigeria.

During his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate on January 30, 2025, Patel disclosed details of the mission. He encountered intense questioning regarding his involvement in the operation to rescue Walton, who had been abducted and taken across the border by bandits.

“The operation took 60 seconds,” Patel stated during the hearing.

Patel also addressed allegations about a misleading statement he made concerning Nigerian authorities supposedly allowing the SEAL Team to use their airspace. As the mastermind behind the rescue mission, Patel had gathered intelligence on Walton’s whereabouts and moved swiftly, anticipating that the bandits might move him. During the operation, U.S. officials discovered that Nigeria had not granted permission for the SEAL Team’s entry into its airspace.

In his memoir, former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper detailed Patel’s actions as one of numerous errors and voiced concern about the safety of the SEALs during this unauthorized mission. He shared his apprehension regarding the risks faced by these operators, mentioning that he was worried about how being confined in an aircraft circling aimlessly for over an hour could impact their readiness—remarks reported by ABC News.

Esper also disclosed that his team suspected Patel of inventing the story about gaining Nigerian approval. “My team had a hunch that Patel fabricated the approval narrative, although they weren’t fully informed,” he wrote.

In his book *Government Gangsters*, Patel refuted the allegations, asserting that specific individuals attempted to hinder President Trump’s counterterrorism initiatives in Africa and the Middle East.

In spite of the challenges related to airspace clearance, the operation concluded successfully. The U.S. State Department intervened and quickly obtained approval for the SEAL Team’s landing in Nigeria, resulting in Walton’s safe rescue.

Patel’s nomination for FBI Director has encountered substantial resistance, and it is still uncertain whether he successfully addressed the concerns raised during his confirmation hearing.