American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout has been released after spending more than nine months in captivity in Niger, according to his missionary organization, SIM International.
SIM International confirmed that Rideout is now in the custody of U.S. officials and is reported to be in good health. The organization said efforts are underway to reunite him with his family.
SIM International Director Phil Bauman welcomed the development, describing Rideout as a friend and fellow Christian.
“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity.”
Bauman added that Rideout is currently receiving care from U.S. officials and is in good condition.
Rideout was abducted in Niamey
Rideout was kidnapped on October 21, 2025, in Niamey, Niger’s capital. Reports at the time said three armed men abducted him from his residence in a neighborhood close to the presidential palace before fleeing toward the Tillabéri region in western Niger.
Rideout, who worked as a missionary pilot with SIM International, had been involved in aviation services supporting Christian, medical and humanitarian work in Niger and the wider Sahel region.
His abduction prompted heightened security concerns among foreign nationals in Niger. The U.S. Embassy subsequently warned American citizens about the increased risk of kidnapping across the country, including in the capital.
Details of his release remain limited
Although Rideout has now been freed, authorities have not publicly disclosed how the release was secured or who held him during his captivity.
No militant organization publicly claimed responsibility for his abduction, leaving questions about the identity of his captors and the circumstances surrounding his eventual release.
Reports before his release indicated that U.S. authorities had been working to establish proof of life and secure his return. Rideout is now in U.S. custody and is expected to be reunited with his family.
Niger remains a high-risk security environment
Rideout’s kidnapping occurred against the backdrop of worsening insecurity across Niger and the wider Sahel.
The Tillabéri area, near Niger’s borders with Mali and Burkina Faso, has experienced repeated attacks involving armed groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The region has also become a major hotspot for kidnappings and attacks against civilians, security forces and foreign nationals.
The kidnapping was particularly notable because Rideout was taken from Niamey, a heavily guarded urban area that had generally been considered safer than parts of western Niger.
His release brings an end to more than nine months of uncertainty for his family, colleagues and supporters. For now, however, details surrounding his captivity and freedom remain closely guarded.
SIM International said its immediate focus is on Rideout’s wellbeing and helping him return home to his family.
