French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault received on Monday the freed French hostage who held by Islamist militants in northern Nigeria for nearly a year. The French hostage was freed after reportedly escaping during a shoot-out. French President Francois Hollande thanked Nigeria's authorities for helping secure the release of Francis Collomp, 63, in the city of Zaria. Unofficial reports say he managed to escape from his cell during an army operation against the militants. The news comes after four other French hostages were released in neighbouring Niger having been held for three years by gunmen with links to al-Qaeda.