An American missionary held in captivity in Niger for nine months will soon reunite with his family.
Christian missionary pilot Kevin Rideout is free and safe with American officials after his kidnapping last year, his mission organization said Friday. It is not yet known how he escaped captivity or what group was holding him, but Islamist terror groups run rampant in Niger.
Rideout, a father of four, was working with the Evangelical organization Serving in Mission (SIM) when he was kidnapped from Niamey, Niger, on October 21, 2025.
“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” the organization said in a statement. “Kevin is in good health in the care of US officials. He will soon be reunited with Krista [Rideout’s wife], his children, and his extended family.”
President Donald Trump celebrated Rideout’s freedom, noting that the White House aided the return.
“I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody. Kevin was kidnapped by Jihadi terrorists in West Africa — The epicenter of Islamist terrorism, where there have been more deadly attacks in the past year than anywhere else on Earth,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME. Glad to have helped!”
The Trump administration has been focused on securing Rideout’s release since his kidnapping. At the time, they responded by saying it was a “top priority for the Trump administration to look after the safety of every American.” The New York Times described freeing Rideout as a “major priority” for the White House.
The Rideout family thanked everyone for their prayers during the long ordeal.
“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, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family,” SIM said. “We ask that you respect the privacy of the family while they reconnect after this time apart.”
SIM works in over 70 countries and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Rideout was seized from his home roughly 150 yards from Niger’s presidential office, the Washington Post reported at the time of his kidnapping.
About 99% of Niger identifies as Muslim, and violent groups like the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara, Boko Haram, and JNIM all have a presence in the West African country.
Analysts who spoke with the Post believe the kidnapping was most likely carried out by Islamic State Sahel Province, which primarily operates across Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
During the Biden administration, Niger kicked American troops out of the country in the aftermath of a coup and increasing Russian ties.
Niger comes in as the 26th worst country in terms of Christian persecution, according to watchdog Open Doors. The organization said that Islamist groups often operate with impunity and there is little rule of law in the country.
“Any Christians living in places dominated by these extremist groups will be targeted. Believers — especially converts from Islam — must worship in secret, living under the constant threat of violence, abduction and death,” Open Doors said in its most recent report.
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