The French hostage Francis Collomp, who was kidnapped in Nigeria on 19 December 2012, was released on Sunday. In the announcement made by the Elysée, President Hollande expressed his gratitude towards the Nigerian authorities for their decisive action in securing his release.

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Francis Collomp was kidnapped in the northern state of Katsina near the Niger border almost a year ago, on 19 December 2012.

Ansaru, an Islamist militant group linked to Boko Haram claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. They said it was in retalition for the French military intervention in Mali, and a law that prohibits the public use of the burqa in France.

A video of Collomp that was released in September showed him reading a text in English and French. He called on the Nigerian government to enter into negotiations with Ansaru for his release.

Collomp is an engineer who worked for the French company Vergnet.

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