American missionary kidnapped in Niger released, NYT and Christian organization say
Kevin Rideout, an American missionary pilot who was kidnapped in Niger's capital Niamey in October last year, has been released and is in U.S. hands, according to the Christian organization Rideout worked for.
American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, abducted in Niger's capital Niamey in October of the previous year, has been freed and is currently in the custody of U.S. authorities, according to the Christian organization he worked with. Serving In Mission (SIM) announced Rideout's release on Friday, stating that he is in good health under the care of U.S. officials. Rideout is en route to the United States, accompanied by representatives from the FBI and the New York Times, which initially reported the news on Thursday.
The New York Times reported that Rideout appeared healthy based on proof-of-life images shared with American officials over the past two days, according to a U.S. official. The U.S. State Department and the White House declined to comment on the matter outside regular business hours.
Reuters had previously reported in October that Rideout was kidnapped by three unidentified men while heading to the airport in Niamey, citing an unnamed diplomat. However, they did not provide Rideout's name at the time. The kidnappers subsequently traveled to the western Tillaberi region of Niger, an area where Islamist militants affiliated with Islamic State and al-Qaeda are known to operate.
Niger, along with its neighboring countries Mali and Burkina Faso, has been grappling with jihadist insurgencies for over a decade. The U.S. issued a travel warning to Niger shortly after Rideout's abduction, advising its citizens to avoid travel to the country due to crime, unrest, terrorism, health concerns, and the risk of kidnapping.
Later in March, Reuters reported that the U.S. was seeking to resume intelligence operations in neighboring Mali, partly motivated by a desire to locate Rideout, who was believed to be held in Mali by the local al-Qaeda affiliate, Jama at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM).
Details regarding Rideout's release, including the method and location, remain undisclosed. It is also unclear which group was ultimately holding Rideout at the end of his captivity, as he may have been transferred recently, according to the New York Times.
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