American missionary and pilot, Kevin Rideout, has regained his freedom after spending more than nine months in captivity in Niger, his organisation SIM International announced on Friday.
Rideout was abducted outside his home in Niamey, the capital, in October 2025 by three armed men who reportedly took him to the Tillaberi region, an area notorious for militant activity.
Concerns had mounted that he was being held by jihadist groups, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaeda affiliate active in the Sahel.SIM International confirmed that Rideout is “in good health in the care of US officials.”
The New York Times reported that he is currently in FBI custody, though details of his release remain unclear.Rideout, who has served as a missionary in Niger for 19 years, was described by his organisation as a dedicated worker and pilot.
His family expressed gratitude for global prayers during his ordeal and requested privacy as they reunite.
His release comes amid ongoing insecurity in Niger and across the Sahel, where militant violence, kidnappings, and political instability have plagued the region for over a decade.
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