{
  "id": 914501,
  "title": "US missionary released following kidnap in Niger, Christian group says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-released-following-kidnap-in-niger-christian-group-says-914501",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-14T22:43:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "KahawaTungu",
    "slug": "kahawatungu",
    "url": "https://kahawatungu.com/us-missionary-released-following-kidnap-in-niger-christian-group-says/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "An American missionary, Kevin Rideout, has been released following his kidnapping in Niger, according to the international Christian organization he worked for, SIM International. Rideout was kidnapped outside his home in Niger's capital, Niamey, last year and spent over nine months in captivity. He was \"in good health in the care of US officials\" as of Friday, according to the organization. SIM International reported that Rideout was now in FBI custody, although the details of his release and who he had been held by remained unclear. Rideout was taken by three armed men to the western Tillaberi region, known for its militant activity. He may have been transferred to another group prior to his release. Rideout, who is also a pilot, had been working in Niger as a Christian missionary for 19 years. SIM International expressed gratitude for the prayers offered on Rideout's behalf and requested privacy as the family reconnects after his release.",
  "summary": "An American missionary has been released after spending more than nine months in captivity, the international Christian organisation he worked for has said. Kevin Rideout – who was kidnapped outside his home in Niger’s capital Niamey last year – was “in good health in the care of US officials”, SIM International said in a statement [...] The post US missionary released following kidnap in Niger,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC World",
        "title": "US missionary released following kidnap in Niger, Christian group says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-released-following-kidnap-in-niger-christian-group-says",
        "published": "2026-08-14T10:18:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KBC",
        "title": "US missionary released following kidnap in Niger, Christian group says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-released-following-kidnap-in-niger-christian-group-says-864274",
        "published": "2026-08-14T10:52:19.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "US missionary regains freedom after nine months in Niger captivity",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-regains-freedom-after-nine-months-in-niger-captivity-870016",
        "published": "2026-08-14T11:20:05.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "U.S. missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after 9 months in captivity, his organization says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/u-s-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-is-released-after-9-months-in",
        "published": "2026-08-14T14:09:14.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "RFI English",
        "title": "US missionary kidnapped in Niger freed after more than nine months",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-kidnapped-in-niger-freed-after-more-than-nine-months",
        "published": "2026-08-14T15:22:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "US missionary released following kidnap in Niger, Christian group says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/us-missionary-released-following-kidnap-in-niger-christian-group-says-884921",
        "published": "2026-08-14T15:53:30.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News (US)",
        "title": "American missionary Kevin Rideout released after 9 months in captivity in Niger",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/american-missionary-kevin-rideout-released-after-9-months-in",
        "published": "2026-08-14T17:11:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "American missionary released after kidnapping 9 months ago in Niger, organization says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/14/american-missionary-released-after-kidnapping-9-months-ago-in-niger",
        "published": "2026-08-14T18:30:41.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}