An American Christian missionary, Kevin Rideout, has regained his freedom after spending more than nine months in captivity following his abduction in Niger, his organisation, SIM International, has confirmed.
Rideout was reportedly kidnapped by three armed men outside his residence in Niamey, Niger’s capital, in October 2025. The abductors were said to have taken him to the western Tillaberi region, an area heavily affected by militant activity.
SIM International announced on Friday that Rideout was in good health and receiving care from United States officials.
Although The New York Times, citing US officials, reported that Rideout was in FBI custody, authorities have not disclosed how he was freed or identified those responsible for his abduction.
There had been fears that the missionary was being held by jihadist fighters, including members of Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaeda-linked group active across the Sahel.
Diplomatic sources cited by Reuters also said three armed men had taken Rideout towards Tillaberi after kidnapping him.
19 years of missionary service
Rideout, who is also a pilot, had spent about 19 years working as a Christian missionary in Niger.
He served with SIM International, a Christian mission organisation operating across more than 70 countries, including Niger.
Following his abduction, the United States issued warnings to its citizens against travelling to Niger, citing heightened risks linked to terrorism, crime and civil unrest.
SIM International described Rideout’s release as “incredibly good news” after months of uncertainty over his safety and whereabouts.
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The organisation said he would soon be reunited with his wife, children and other members of his 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 also requested privacy as they reunite and adjust after more than nine months apart.
Sahel insecurity persists
Rideout’s release comes against the backdrop of worsening insecurity across Niger and the wider Sahel, where jihadist groups have continued to carry out attacks and kidnappings against civilians and security personnel.
Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and parts of Nigeria have battled militant violence for more than a decade, a crisis that has killed thousands and displaced millions of people.
The region has also experienced repeated military coups, with elected governments overthrown in several countries amid growing frustration over insecurity, economic hardship and political instability.