American Missionary Kevin Rideout Released After 9‑Month Detention in Niger

Sun Sep 06 2026 07:44:28 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Kicker: an American missionary and pilot freed after nearly a year in captivity, believed taken by jihadist militants in Niger.

Kevin Rideout, a long‑time Christian missionary and pilot, was freed after more than nine months in captivity in Niger’s capital Niamey. SIM International confirmed that he was in good health under U.S. custodianship, while the FBI now holds him. He had been taken by armed men to the militant‑hotbed region of Tillaberi, raising fears of JNIM involvement. The release follows an advisory from Washington warning U.S. citizens of a heightened risk in Niger. Researchers note it signals a costly reminder of the Sahel’s volatile security situation.

American missionary Kevin Rideout released after 9‑month kidnapping in Niger

A Christian missionary who had spent nearly two decades working in Niger has been freed following a lengthy detainment that began in October 2025.

Kevin Rideout was abducted outside his Niamey home by three armed men and taken to Tillabéri, a region known for militant activity. SIM International, the base of his missionary work, announced that he was "in good health" under U.S. officials' care after his release.

The FBI has taken custody of Rideout, though the full chain of custody remains unclear. Reports hint that he may have been transferred to a different group before Parley.

Rideout will soon be reunited with his wife Krista, their children and extended family. SIM International expressed deep appreciation for the worldwide prayers offered throughout his captivity, and the family has asked for privacy during this reunion.

The incident underscores ongoing insecurity in the Sahel, where militant groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al‑Islam wal‑Muslimin (JNIM) continue to carry out abductions and attacks. The U.S. has cautioned its citizens against travel to Niger amid rising terrorism and civil unrest.

Both Niger and neighboring states—Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria—have grappled with violence for more than a decade, destabilising the region. In the midst of this turmoil, the safe release of Rideout offers a glimmer of relief for families affected by the conflict.