{
  "id": 854747,
  "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after 9 months in captivity, his organization says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-is-released-after-9-months-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T08:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Associated Press",
    "slug": "associated-press",
    "url": "https://apnews.com/article/niger-kidnapped-us-missionary-released-268cdcbb3da14744d0129f30513ad5a8"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On August 14, American missionary Kevin Rideout was released after being kidnapped in Niger in October, according to SIM International. The 9-month ordeal came to an end with Rideout now described as being in good health and under the care of US officials. He is set to be reunited with his extended family soon, the statement added.\n\nRideout was taken captive in Niamey, Niger's capital, on October 21 by three armed individuals, and he was likely driven out of the city, as per information from a security official at the time. Despite numerous attempts, no armed group claimed responsibility for the abduction.\n\nNiger, located in West Africa, has faced ongoing threats from various armed groups, including those linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert just a day after Rideout's kidnapping, warning that American citizens \"remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.\"\n\nNiger is currently governed by a military junta that seized power in 2023 following the ousting of the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum. The new authorities have severed ties with Western partners, including the United States, which had previously deployed soldiers in Niger. The nation has now forged a security and diplomatic alliance with Russia instead.",
  "summary": "NIAMEY, Niger (AP) — An American missionary who was kidnapped in Niger in October has been released, his organization said Friday. Kevin Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials,” SIM International said in a statement. He will soon be reunited with his extended family, the statement added. Rideout was kidnapped in the West African country’s capital , Niamey, on…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": "https://urgent.news/ill/854747.png",
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 8,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after 9 months in captivity, his organization says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-is-released-after-9-months-in-857652",
        "published": "2026-08-14T08:24:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after 9 months in captivity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-is-released-after-9-months-in-857058",
        "published": "2026-08-14T08:43:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "American Christian missionary kidnapped in Niger back in US hands, on his way home - report",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/american-christian-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-back-in-us-hands-on",
        "published": "2026-08-14T09:32:52.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Guardian",
        "title": "American missionary kidnapped in Niger freed after nine months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/american-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-freed-after-nine-months",
        "published": "2026-08-14T09:48:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "U.S. missionary who was kidnapped in Niger is released",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/u-s-missionary-who-was-kidnapped-in-niger-is-released",
        "published": "2026-08-14T12:11:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Al Jazeera",
        "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-released-after-nine-months-in",
        "published": "2026-08-14T12:54:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-released-after-nine-months-in-878775",
        "published": "2026-08-14T14:17:37.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}