U.S. missionary who was kidnapped in Niger is released
A U.S. missionary kidnapped in Niger in 2025 has been released and is in the care of U.S. officials. The incident highlights the complex security landscape in Niger following a 2023 coup and the ongoing U.S. efforts to maintain security cooperation despite regional instability.
Why it matters
The release underscores the precarious nature of U.S. diplomatic and humanitarian presence in the Sahel region amidst shifting geopolitical alliances.
A U.S. missionary who was kidnapped in Niger in October 2025 has been released, the Christian NGO he works for announced on Friday.
Kevin Rideout "is in good health in the care of US officials," SIM International said in a statement , adding he would soon be reunited with his family.
Details of how and where Rideout was released were not given. The U.S. State Department has not yet confirmed his release.
Rideout was kidnapped on October 21 in Niamey, the capital of Niger, a junta-ruled nation long plagued by insecurity.
While no group claimed responsibility for the abduction, a number of jihadist groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization operate in the West African country.
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