Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was held captive in Niger for nine months has been released to US officials, the missionary organization he worked for said Friday.
“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.
“Kevin is in good health in the care of US officials,” the statement said, adding Rideout will soon be reunited with his family.
Rideout was kidnapped from outside of his home in the capital, Niamey, on October 21, 2025, according to SIM, a Charlotte-based Christian missionary organization which says it serves in more than 70 countries.
He was seized by three unidentified men, who later headed toward the western Tillaberi region of Niger, where Islamist militants are active, Reuters news agency reported at the time, citing an unnamed diplomat.
