[CLSTR]
< Back to all clusters
[INTERNATIONAL] · Niger, United States · 22 sources

started · updated

Kevin Rideout released after nine months of captivity in Niger

Kevin Rideout SIM International Niger kidnapping American missionary Sahel security

American missionary and pilot Kevin Rideout has been released after more than nine months of captivity in Niger. Rideout, who worked for the evangelical organization SIM International, was abducted by three armed men on October 21, 2025, outside his home in Niamey.

SIM International confirmed his release on Friday, August 14, 2026, stating that Rideout is in good health and is currently in the care of United States officials. Reports indicate he is traveling back to the United States to reunite with his family.

While his release has been confirmed, the specific circumstances, location, and identity of his captors remain unknown. Rideout had lived and worked in Niger for approximately 19 years. His abduction had previously prompted the U.S. government to issue travel warnings for the region due to heightened risks of terrorism and kidnapping in the Sahel.

Entities

FBI · Kevin Rideout · Niamey · Niger · SIM International · Serving in Mission · U.S. Africa Command · United States

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

Sources

American Missionary Released from Niger [americanfaith.com]
about 5 hours ago
“Glad to have helped”: Trump says US missionary released after nine months’ captivity in Niger [desitalkchicago.com]
about 1 hour ago
Niger : le missionnaire américain Kevin Rideout libéré - Journal du Niger [www.journalduniger.com]
about 10 hours ago
US-Missionar nach Entführung in Niger wieder frei [www.vol.at]
about 9 hours ago
BREAKING: American Missionary Kevin Rideout Freed After Nine Months in Niger Captivity [newsonlineng.com]
about 6 hours ago
American Missionary Kidnapped in Niger Released, New York Times Reports [internewscast.com]
about 13 hours ago
Nijer'de Kaçırılan ABD'li Misyoner Serbest Bırakıldı [www.haberaktuel.com]
about 2 hours ago
American missionary kidnapped in Niger said to be released, NYT reports [kelo.com]
about 17 hours ago
US missionary kidnapped in Niger released after nine months in captivity [www.aljazeera.com]
about 8 hours ago
President Trump Celebrates Return Of Kidnapped American Missionary: ‘Glad To Have Helped!’ | WLT Report [wltreport.com]
23 minutes ago
Niger: Abducted US missionary released after months in captivity - Blueprint Newspapers Limited [blueprint.ng]
about 9 hours ago
US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after 9 months in captivity, his organization says [www.brandonsun.com]
about 13 hours ago
US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released after nine months in captivity [ca.news.yahoo.com]
about 7 hours ago
American missionary kidnapped in Niger in October freed, his organization says [www.cbsnews.com]
about 13 hours ago
American Missionary Kidnapped in Niger Said to Be Released From Captivity [dnyuz.com]
about 19 hours ago
US Missionary Regains Freedom After Nine Months in Niger Captivity [www.fellowpress.com]
about 6 hours ago
American missionary kidnapped in Niger said to be released, NYT reports [kfgo.com]
about 17 hours ago
Niger : libération de Kevin Rideout, le pilote américain désormais en route vers les USA [lanouvelletribune.info]
about 13 hours ago
US missionary kidnapped in Niger is released [www.perthnow.com.au]
about 12 hours ago
US missionary abducted in Niger released after nine months in captivity, Christian organization says [kvia.com]
about 14 hours ago
Libya’s Haftar played role in release of US hostage held by IS [www.newarab.com]
about 1 hour ago
American Christian Missionary Freed After Terrorist Kidnapping [townhall.com]
about 8 hours ago