Kidnapped Spanish doctor freed in Nigeria

GlobalPost

A Spanish doctor who was kidnapped in Nigeria earlier this month has been released. 

Jose Manuel Machimbarrena Corcuera was released Friday, a Nigerian foreign ministry spokesman told Agence France-Presse

The spokesman told the news agency Machimbarrena was "tired but in good health." 

He was kidnapped from his home April 4, Reuters said. The news agency said the doctor has been living in Nigeria since 1978. 

Several foreigners have been kidnapped and held for ransom in oil-rich Nigeria in recent years. Most victims are released after ransom payments are made, AFP said. 

Not all situations end so happily, however. Two Europeans were killed after a failed hostage rescue attempt in Nigeria last month.

More from GlobalPost: British and Italian hostages killed in a failed rescue attempt in Nigeria 

It wasn't clear whether a ransom was paid Machimbarrena's release.

More from GlobalPost: Rwanda's economic miracle

Help keep The World going strong!

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.