French hostages freed from Niger captivity after three years

Four Frenchmen taken hostage by Islamic extremists three years ago in Niger have been released.

They were kidnapped in September 2010 from their dormitories in the town of Arlit, where they worked for the French nuclear company Areva.

French president Francois Hollande made the announcement , crediting the Niger president with their release. He did not give details of exactly how or when they were freed.