(CNN) An American aid worker who was kidnapped in Niger more than six years ago and held hostage by terrorists has been released, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser has said. Jake Sullivan tweeted on Monday.

“I am pleased and relieved to see the release of American hostage Jeff Woodke after more than 6 years in captivity. The United States thanks Niger for helping to bring him home to all who miss and love him. I thank so many in our government I have worked tirelessly to secure your freedom,” Sullivan tweeted.

Jeffery Woodke is now being offered support and transportation. He was released outside of Niger in the Mali-Burkina Faso area, the official said.

“We are working closely with partners in the region and beyond to ensure safe transportation and immediate access to the best medical and psychiatric support we can offer,” a senior administration official told reporters on Monday. “Where exactly Jeff chooses to go will be a little bit up to him.”

The US government has been working on efforts to secure Woodke’s release for years, relying on both intelligence and military resources, the official said. But ultimately the Nigerien government was instrumental in securing his release, the official said.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Niger earlier this month.

“We’ve certainly been in contact with them about the priority it is for us to secure the release of Americans like my Jeff Woodke, and that’s something the secretary confirmed when he was there,” the official said, adding that Niger could share more details. about the release.

On his trip, Blinken announced $150 million in new humanitarian aid for the region.

“It will help provide vital support to refugees, asylum seekers and others affected by conflict and food insecurity in the region,” Blinken said in a statement about aid going to Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Mauritania. . .

Terror groups linked to Al Qaeda and ISIS have been active in Niger for years.

Without saying which specific terrorist group was holding Woodke, the official pointed to a number of “overlapping terrorist networks that intersect in that part of West Africa.” The official added that these terrorist networks view “kidnapping and hostage-taking as a frank part of their business model, and as a source of income and support.”

The official thanked the Nigerien government for participating in efforts to secure their release, adding that the United States did not pay any ransom to the terrorists.

The United States did not pay any ransom to the terrorists to get Woodke released, the official said.

“Here there was no direct negotiation between the US government and terrorist organizations, which is worth clarifying. We certainly did not pay ransom for a concession to a terrorist organization here,” the official said.

“Emerging as our best line of effort among many we’ve tried over the years, it was working to see what a very good, capable and fortunately willing partner in Niger could offer in its own commitment,” the official added.

In addition to Woodke’s release, French journalist Olivier Dubois, kidnapped in 2021 in Mali, was released on Monday. according to a tweet by French President Emmanuel Macron.

Dubois was transferred to Niger after his release.

“We feel joy and immense relief. Our colleague was held hostage for 711 days in Mali. His captivity was the longest for a French journalist held hostage since the Lebanon war,” Reporters Without Borders said in a statement.

Dubois was kidnapped in the Gao region of northern Mali by an al Qaeda-linked group known as GSIM.

“We thank the French authorities for having implemented the necessary means to obtain their release. It is an honor for France not to let the hostages down and allow them to regain their freedom,” the RWB statement added.

CNN’s Dalal Mawad contributed to this report.

CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says a man is facing felony charges after one person was killed and several others injured in a crash in east Charlotte.

The accident occurred shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday on Central Avenue between Eastcrest Drive and Briar Creek Road.

On Monday, CMPD provided more details about the accident. Investigators say a Nissan Sentra was going “at high speed” when it crashed into the rear of a Hyundai Genesis. That crash caused the Genesis to go off the road and into a power pole, and the Nissan hit a curb before spinning to a stop.

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Two students were injured in a shooting at Lamar High School in Arlington Monday morning, one of them in critical condition, police and district officials confirm.

The Arlington Independent School District said the shooting happened on campus but outside of the school around 6:55 a.m., about 40 minutes before school was to start. Two male students were injured in the shooting and were said to be receiving medical attention. One of the injured students was in critical condition and the other appears to have suffered minor injuries.

Arlington police said they received multiple reports of gunshots on campus just before 7 a.m. According to the district and police, Arlington police took a person into custody in connection with the shooting shortly after arriving on campus. Police did not release any information about the person in custody, including his age, and no information on a motive has been confirmed.

The district said the scene at the high school is safe and because the campus is closed, parents and students should not go on campus. The district said they plan to release students for the day once the lockdown is lifted.

The Arlington Independent School District said students would be available for pickup at the district’s multi-purpose sports center at 1001 E. Division Street starting at noon.

Monday was the first day back to school for Arlington Independent School District students after spring break last week. Classes begin at the high school at 7:35 a.m., the district said, and not all students were back on campus when the shooting occurred.

Please check back and update for updates.