US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity

Kevin Rideout, a pilot with the evangelical missionary agency SIM International, was abducted in the capital, Niamey, on October 21, 2025.Published On 14 Aug 202614 Aug 2026An American missionary kidnapped in Niger last year has been released after more than nine months in captivity and is now in the care of United States officials, according to his organisation.Kevin Rideout, a pilot with the evangelical missionary agency SIM International, was abducted in the capital, Niamey, on October 21 by three armed men while heading towards the airport.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4‘Sahel is no longer fooled’ Niger civil society leaderlist 2 of 4Mali drone strikes kill at least 10 civilians at weddinglist 3 of 4The Mali crisis could have a dangerous spillover effectlist 4 of 4Why Traore has opened a new front with Burkina Faso’s Muslim communityend of list“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” SIM said on Friday, adding that he was in good health and would soon be reunited with his family.The Reuters news agency, citing The New York Times, reported that Rideout was travell...