An Austrian woman and a Swiss woman who had been held captive in Niger for more than 18 months have arrived in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi following their release, two officials said on Wednesday.
The women are expected to be transferred to authorities in their respective countries once the necessary procedures are completed, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The Austrian national, identified by authorities in Vienna as Eva G., is in her 70s and was abducted in January 2025 in Agadez, a desert city in central Niger where she had lived for several years.
The identity of the group responsible for her kidnapping remains unclear, and authorities have disclosed little information about the circumstances of her detention or any demands made by her captors.
The Swiss woman was taken hostage in April 2025. Switzerland’s Foreign Ministry has not publicly identified her.
The two officials said the operation to secure the women’s release was overseen by General Saddam Haftar, Deputy Commander of the Libyan National Army.
Neither the circumstances surrounding their release nor whether negotiations were involved were immediately disclosed.
Niger has experienced years of insecurity as armed groups affiliated with al Qaeda and Daesh (ISIS) carry out attacks and kidnappings across the country.
The violence forms part of a wider insurgency affecting the central Sahel, including neighbouring Mali and Burkina Faso, where fighting has killed thousands and displaced millions over the past decade.
Kidnappings of foreign nationals reportedly increased in Niger during 2025, highlighting persistent security threats despite military operations against armed groups.
The women’s arrival in Benghazi marks a significant development in efforts to secure the release of foreign hostages held in the Sahel.
