Missionary free after 7 years

Australian missionary doctor Ken Elliott, who was kidnapped by an al-Qaida-linked group in Burkina Faso in 2016, has been freed.

His wife, who was taken at the same time, was released just a few weeks later. But Elliott himself was kept by the so-called ‘Emirate of the Sahara’ until last week.

A family statement said: ‘We wish to express our thanks to God and all who have continued to pray for us. We also continue to pray for those still held and wish them freedom and safe return to their loved ones.’