US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity

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An American Christian missionary, Kevin Rideout, has been released to U.S. officials after spending over nine months in captivity in Niger.

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His organization, the Charlotte-based SIM International, confirmed on Friday that Rideout is in good health and will soon be reunited with his family.

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“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” SIM International Director Phil Bauman told CNN in a statement.

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“Kevin is in good health in the care of US officials,” the statement said, adding Rideout will soon be reunited with his family.

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Rideout was abducted on October 21, 2025, from outside his home in the capital city of Niamey by three unidentified men who fled toward the western Tillaberi region—an area known for active Islamist militant groups.

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Following the incident, the U.S. Embassy in Niger heightened its security protocols and warned of elevated kidnapping threats across the country.

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According to reports, Rideout is currently in FBI custody, though specific details regarding his release, his exact timeline, and the identity of his captors remain undisclosed.

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Niger continues to grapple with intense violence and instability driven by militant groups affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State forces operating along its borders.

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