Niger: U.S. Missionary Kidnapped in Niger Freed After More Than Nine Months
[RFI] American Kevin Rideout, who worked as a pilot for an evangelical organisation, has been freed after he was kidnapped in October 2025 in Niamey. His release comes as the security situation remains tense in Niger.
Kevin Rideout, a 50-year-old American missionary pilot for SIM International, was released after being kidnapped in Niger in October 2025. Rideout, who had worked for the evangelical organization for 19 years, was initially believed to be held in Mali by the Islamic State group's Sahel branch, but was ultimately held by an unidentified group.
The U.S. government placed Niger under its highest travel warning due to the risks of crime, terrorism, and kidnapping, urging citizens not to travel there. Rideout's release comes as the security situation in Niger remains tense.
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