American Christian missionary Kevin Rideout has regained his freedom after more than nine months in captivity in Niger, according to his organisation, SIM International.
Rideout was abducted outside his home in Niger’s capital, Niamey, 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 Rideout was in FBI custody. Details surrounding his release, including the identity of his captors and the circumstances under which he was freed, remained unclear.
There had been concerns that Rideout might have been held by jihadist militants, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda affiliate active across parts of the Sahel.
Reuters, citing diplomatic sources, also reported that three armed men had taken Rideout to Tillaberi after abducting him.
Following the kidnapping, the US warned its citizens against travelling to Niger, citing heightened risks of terrorism, crime and civil unrest.
Rideout, a pilot as well as a missionary, had spent 19 years working in Niger and served as a pilot for SIM International, a Christian organisation operating 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,” SIM International said.
The organisation added that the family had requested privacy as they “reconnect after this time apart”.
Rideout’s release comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in Niger and other parts of the Sahel, where jihadist groups have carried out attacks and abductions targeting civilians and security personnel.
Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria have faced more than a decade of militant violence, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions across the region.
The security crisis has been compounded by political instability, with military coups in recent years overthrowing elected governments in several Sahelian countries.
