Aust'n woman kidnapped by al-Qaeda militants in Africa released

An Australian woman kidnapped by Islamic militants in West Africa in January has been freed.

Jocelyn Elliott and her husband Ken, who continues to be held hostage, were abducted by al-Qaeda following an attack by the terrorist organization on the Burkina Faso capital of Ouagadogou in January that left 28 people dead.

Elliott was handed over to Australian officials in Niger on Sunday, though the circumstances of her release or how she arrived in Niger have not been disclosed.

Confirming Elliott's release, Australia's Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said the primary focus was now securing the release of Elliott's 81-year old surgeon husband.

"I spoke with her this morning. She was well. She was relieved. She was very tired. Our overriding concern now is for her husband, Dr Kenneth Elliott," Bishop told The Australian on Monday.

Bishop went on to thank authorities in Niger and Burkina Faso for facilitating the release of Elliott and that all relevant Australian authorities were now working to release her husband.

The Elliot family, based in Perth, expressed their relief upon hearing of their mother's release.

"For over four decades she has served the Burkinabe people together with our father, Dr Ken Elliott. They are separated now but united in their desire to bring healing and hope to the people of northern Burkina Faso and the surrounding regions,"the family said in a statement.

The Elliotts have run a 120-bed charitable hospital in rural Burkina Faso for more than 40 years. Dr Elliott had been performing up to 150 operations per month in the clinic. Endit