Escaped French hostage returns home

PARIS - A French hostage abducted in Nigeria for 11 months arrived in Paris on Monday morning after escaping captors, according to local reports.

Accompanied by France's top diplomat, Francis Collomp was received by French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault and relatives at the military airport of Villacoublay. He was then taken to hospital for medical checks for his heart condition after spending a long period of captivity without medication.

"This man has demonstrated exceptional courage, not just because he was held captive for a year, but because at the risk of his own life, he was able to seize an opportunity," French President Francois Hollande said.

The 63-year-old engineer had been in hands of Ansaru militant Islamist group since December 19, 2012.

France's interests and expatriates have been the target of terrorist groups that threatened to strike them in retaliation for Paris military intervention in Mali earlier this year.

Seven French citizens are still being held hostage in Syria, Mali, and Nigeria.