US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity

An American missionary kidnapped in Niger last year has been released after more than nine months in captivity and is now in the care of United States officials, according to his organisation. Kevin Rideout, a pilot with the evangelical missionary agency SIM International, was abducted in the capital, Niamey, on October 21 by three armed […]

peopledaily.digital ·17h ago

Kevin Rideout, an American missionary and pilot for the evangelical organization SIM International, was released from captivity in Niger after being held for over nine months, according to his organization. The missionary was abducted on October 21 in Niamey, the capital, by three armed men while en route to the airport.

SIM International expressed their gratitude for the news of Rideout's release, stating that he is in good health and soon to be reunited with his family. The exact details of his release, including the method and location, remain undisclosed. It is unclear which group held him during the final stages of his captivity, though they were previously believed to be in the western Tillaberi region, an area where armed groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIL operate.

Following his abduction, it was speculated that the kidnappers moved towards Niger's neighbor Mali, where they were believed to be in the custody of al-Qaeda affiliate Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM). The Sahel region, encompassing Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, has faced ongoing struggles against armed groups in recent years.

The United States withdrew its troops from Niger after a military coup in 2023, and since then, the country's authorities have strengthened their security and diplomatic relationships with Russia.

Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.