Washington - Under the veil of darkness, Religious extremists arrived at the residence of the American missionary in Niger. Without warning, they mercilessly shot and killed two guards on duty. Jeff Woodke vividly remembers witnessing the flashes of gunfire and the piercing cries, moments before he was forcibly whisked away in a pickup truck that rapidly fled the scene.

This marked the beginning of an agonizing period lasting over six years—a time during which he endured unimaginable suffering. Woodke recounts being subjected to physical beatings, enduring hours of confinement with heavy chains, and facing relentless pressure to renounce his Christian faith and embrace the ISIS religion. Amid his captivity, he resorted to self-imposed hunger strikes as a means of resistance.

“It was hell,” expressed Woodke, now 62 years old, reflecting on his release in March. "The most difficult part was knowing that if my family was still alive, they were enduring unimaginable pain as well." As time passed, he increasingly felt that his loved ones would be better off if he were dead rather than continuing to subject them to suffering. This sentiment grew stronger with each passing day. In the final year of his captivity, he reached a point where he pleaded with his captors to end his life.

However, the ordeal faced by Woodke and his wife was further exacerbated by years of frustrating interactions with the U.S. government. They strongly believe that FBI officials deliberately withheld crucial information about negotiations with the captors. Additionally, they felt that the assistance and guidance provided to them regarding fundraising for a ransom were inadequate. The mounting frustration reached its peak during a Zoom call just weeks before Woodke's release when his wife, Els, directly expressed her grievances to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, accusing the ransom process of favoring the wealthy.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press, Els Woodke shared a significant comment she made during a Zoom call. Reflecting on the unequal dynamics surrounding ransom payments, she highlighted the advantage that affluent individuals have in securing their loved ones' release. The Woodkes also discussed undisclosed details about Jeff's captivity, their experiences with US officials, and the ongoing challenges they have encountered during his reintegration into society.

In a time when the situation of detained Americans is receiving unprecedented attention, the Woodkes' frustration highlights the government's uneven progress in managing relationships with hostage families, despite a policy overhaul in 2015 aimed at improving communication and alleviating concerns regarding potential criminal prosecution resulting from ransom payments. Their statements provide a rare glimpse into the delicate and tense interactions that often precede the release of a detainee.

While the FBI chose not to address the specific claims made by the Woodkes, they stated that they had exerted tireless efforts to bring Jeff Woodke back home and expressed their joy at his reunion with his family. The FBI affirmed their commitment to continue supporting Jeff and his loved ones. The State Department acknowledged that Secretary of State Blinken had engaged in multiple conversations with Els Woodke but declined to comment on the details of those discussions.

American officials have divulged minimal information about the circumstances surrounding Woodke's release, stating only that it was a collaborative endeavor and that the US government neither paid a ransom nor made concessions. Woodke was freed alongside French journalist Olivier Dubois, while other hostages remain in the region. Woodke himself remained cautious in his remarks, stating that he is unsure about the exact factors that led to his release, but he believes he was rescued by French forces.

Given Woodke's role as a missionary and aid worker, it is not surprising that he became a potential target for kidnappings, particularly in the vast, semi-arid region below the Sahara Desert called the Sahel. In this area, Islamic extremists have long employed abductions and ransom payments to finance their jihadist activities.

Aware of the risks, Woodke had taken precautions throughout his thirty years of work in the region, including staying in touch with the State Department and the local embassy to stay informed about security concerns. However, on the evening of October 14, 2016, he faced a devastating ambush at his home in Abalak, Niger, carried out by extremists who fatally attacked two guards on the property. Despite his attempts to escape, he was captured, forcibly dragged with his wrist scraping against the ground, and thrown into a truck that headed towards the border with Mali.

In 2021, it was revealed to the Woodke family, albeit belatedly, that the captors had initially demanded a ransom of 3 million euros and the release of prisoners from West African jails as part of the negotiations. Negotiators, acting without the family's input, were successful in removing the demand for prisoner release but this resulted in the ransom demand being doubled to 6 million euros. This increased amount posed a significant challenge for Els Woodke, a teacher's assistant, making it even more difficult to raise the necessary funds.

While she embarked on raising the ransom, Els encountered obstacles. She was informed that she could seek donations personally, but she considered the requirement burdensome. The FBI refused to provide written reassurances that no one involved in raising the ransom would face prosecution, which was crucial for potential donors. Ultimately, no ransom was paid, and Els lamented the restrictions imposed by the government, which hindered her ability to raise a sufficient amount.

The Obama administration introduced a policy in 2015, following the beheading deaths of Western hostages by ISIS operatives, that aimed to reassure families that while the US government does not endorse ransom payments, it would not prosecute families who made them. Although no families have faced charges, there has been ongoing confusion about the policy among hostage relatives.

The circumstances surrounding Woodke's release on March 20 were not fully explained by the White House or the French government. He and French hostage Olivier Dubois were driven in a Toyota pickup truck to the western border of Niger, where they were set free. The release was described by a White House National Security Council spokesman as the result of "hard, grueling, deliberate work."

Woodke has returned to his home in McKinleyville, California, but he has faced challenges in readjusting. He is dealing with leg injuries and substantial medical and dental bills. Simple tasks, like obtaining a driver's license, have taken months. He expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support he received from the government, although he acknowledged that the State Department's special envoy for hostage affairs has provided assistance. Plans are in place to raise funds from friends and supporters to help with the mounting expenses.

"We're not things, we're not bargaining chips, we're not cases — we're people," Woodke emphasized. "We don't want to sit under trees in chains. Our families don't want to have to suffer."