Kidnapped Canadian Rotarian released

Rotary International is happy and relieved at the safe resolution of the kidnapping incident involving Canadian Rotary club member Julie Mulligan in Kaduna, Nigeria.

We also thank the government agencies in both Canada and Nigeria for their hard work and commitment to achieve a safe end to a very difficult situation.

Our top priority from the beginning has been the safe return of Julie to her family in Drayton Valley, Alberta. Rotarians will continue to provide assistance and support to Julie and her family.

Meanwhile, Rotary leaders in Nigeria and Canada continue to cooperate fully with officials investigating the case.

Julie was in Nigeria leading a Rotary Group Study Exchange team from Canada. Group Study Exchange allows non-Rotary members from a variety of professions to travel abroad to interact with their counterparts, gain valuable intercultural experience, and broaden their worldview. The program is just one way in which Rotary promotes world peace and understanding. Since 1965, more than 13,500 Group Study Exchange teams totaling 65,000 individuals from over 100 countries have participated. Last year, 565 teams traveled abroad.