Kidnapped Missionary in Niger Released After Months of Captivity

Kevin Rideout, an American missionary pilot serving in Niger, Africa, has been released from captivity nearly nine months after his abduction at the hands of what analysts believe are jihadis tied to known terror networks. 

A husband and a father of four, Rideout works with Serving in Mission (SIM), a Charlotte, North Carolina-based missionary sending organization. In a statement, SIM confirmed that Rideout “is in good health in the care of U.S. officials.” 

“He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children and his extended family,” the statement continued. “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. “

Franklin Graham, who called believers to pray for Rideout after he was first kidnapped, celebrated his release, praising God for His work. 

“We thank God that American missionary Kevin Rideout has been freed and is on his way home!” Franklin posted through social media. “Kevin is a pilot with SIM International and was kidnapped in Niger in October. This is an answer to prayer! I know that his wife and four children are so grateful and excited to finally have him back.”

On Oct. 21, Rideout was abducted from his home by men with suspected links to al-Qaida and ISIS. No group has admitted to the kidnapping and officials have not announced who the kidnappers were. His last tracked location was in an area considered to be “a sanctuary for groups affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.” The area is between Niamey, the Niger capital, and the Malian border. 

The New York Times reported that details are unclear on how he was released or which group was holding him captive before his release. 

After Rideout was kidnapped, Bryan Stern, founder of the conflict and disaster response group Grey Bull Rescue, told Fox News Digital that securing the release of a hostage in Niger can be difficult. 

“What happens in most of these cases is whoever took the hostage isn’t who’s holding on to the hostage,” Stern said, adding, “It’s easy to understand who took somebody, but once people start getting traded around like cards and stuff, it’s hard to then understand what the current holding party wants.”

Niger has experienced an increase in attacks by al-Qaida and ISIS-linked groups, although the country has faced such attacks for many years.

Niger ranks as the 26th most dangerous country for Christians, rising two spaces over last year’s rankings, an Open Doors investigation says.

“Niger presents one of the harshest environments in the Sahel for religious minorities—a region defined by jihadist rule, community hostility and state neglect,” Open Doors reports. 

“During the 2026 World Watch List reporting period, Christians were abducted, Christian property and churches were destroyed, and thousands of believers were displaced, all due to violence from armed militants.

Photo above: Courtesy of the Rideout family; photograph taken prior to Kevin’s capture in October 2025.