US missionary freed after nine months in Niger captivity

American Christian missionary Kevin Rideout has regained his freedom after more than nine months in captivity following his abduction in Niger, his organisation, SIM International, has confirmed.

Rideout was abducted outside his home in Niamey, Niger’s capital, in October 2025 by three-armed men who reportedly took him to the western Tillaberi region, an area affected by militant activity.

SIM International said in a statement on Friday that Rideout was “in good health in the care of US officials”.

The New York Times, which first reported his release, cited unnamed US officials as saying that Rideout was in FBI custody. However, details of his release and the identity of his captors remained unclear.

There had been concerns that Rideout might have been abducted by militants, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaeda-linked group active in the Sahel.

Rideout, who is also a pilot, had worked in Niger as a Christian missionary for 19 years and served as a pilot for SIM International, which operates in more than 70 countries.

SIM International described his release as “incredibly good news” after months of uncertainty over his wellbeing.

The organisation said Rideout would soon be reunited with his wife, children and extended family.

“Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity,” the organisation said.

The family has requested privacy as they reunite after his prolonged captivity.

Rideout’s release comes amid persistent insecurity in Niger and across the wider Sahel, where jihadist groups have carried out attacks and kidnappings targeting civilians and security forces.