U.S. missionary freed after kidnapping in Niger

August 14, 2026

1–2 minutes

Summary

American missionary Kevin Rideout was released after being kidnapped in Niger’s capital in October, his organization said.

Why this matters

The release ends a high-profile kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Niger, where security risks remain high. The case also highlights instability in the Sahel and Niger’s shifting security partnerships since the 2023 coup.

An American missionary kidnapped in Niger in October has been released, his organization said Friday.

Kevin Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials,” SIM International said in a statement. He will soon be reunited with his extended family, the statement added.

Rideout was kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Oct. 21 by three armed individuals and was probably driven out of the city, according to information provided at the time by a security official.

Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups, including jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert a day after Rideout’s kidnapping, warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.”

Niger has been ruled by a military junta since 2023, when it deposed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The authorities later pushed out Western partners, including the United States, which had soldiers in Niger, and formed a new security and diplomatic alliance with Russia.

In June, gunmen killed more than 30 people in an attack on Niamey’s main airport. It was the second attack there this year. The airport serves as the military government’s command hub, hosting its air force base, most of its drones and aircraft, and the headquarters of the regional alliance of troops from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.

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Kevin Rideout “is in good health in the care of US officials,” SIM International said in a statement. He will soon be reunited with his extended family, the statement added.

Rideout was kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Oct. 21 by three armed individuals and was probably driven out of the city, according to information provided at the time by a security official.

Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups, including jihadis linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.

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Niger has been ruled by a military junta since 2023, when it deposed democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The authorities later pushed out Western partners, including the United States, which had soldiers in Niger, and formed a new security and diplomatic alliance with Russia.

In June, gunmen killed more than 30 people in an attack on Niamey’s main airport. It was the second attack there this year. The airport serves as the military government’s command hub, hosting its air force base, most of its drones and aircraft, and the headquarters of the regional alliance of troops from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
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