Updated

The Free Methodist Church says a Seattle missionary abducted last month from a school in Nigeria has been released and is safe.

In a statement Friday on the website of the Free Methodist Church USA, Bishop David Kendall says Phyllis Sortor was released Friday evening, Nigeria time, "into the care of authorities and Free Methodist Church leaders."

The 71-year-old woman was abducted Feb. 23 from the Hope Academy compound in Emiworo, Kogi state.