Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was kidnapped in Niger last October, has been released and will be reunited with his extended family, his organization said in a statement on Friday.
Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials,” Serving In Mission (SIM) International, an evangelical mission agency, said in the statement.
Kevin Rideout is seen during preflight checks in preparation for a flight from Niamy to Maradi, Niger in December 2022.
Lee Hodges
“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 said in a statement Friday.
“Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family,” SIM International said.
Rideout was kidnapped outside his home in Niamey, Niger, on Oct. 21, 2025.
A motorcyclist rides along a street in Niamey, Niger, June 18, 2026.
AP Photo
President Donald Trump celebrated Rideout’s return in a social media post on Friday.
“I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody,” Trump said.
Trump went on to criticize the “Jihadi terrorists” who captured Rideout in Niger. The president claimed that West Africa is “[t]he epicenter of Islamist terrorism.”
“Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME. Glad to have helped!,” Trump said.
No armed group claimed responsibility for the abduction.
A day after he was kidnapped, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.”