American Christian missionary released after nine months in captivity in Niger

An American Christian missionary kidnapped in Niger last year has been released after spending more than nine months in captivity, according to the international organisation he worked for.

Kevin Rideout, who was abducted outside his home in the capital Niamey in October, is reported to be in good health and in the care of US officials.

SIM International, the Christian missionary organisation Rideout worked with, confirmed his release on August 14, describing the development as “incredibly good news” after months of uncertainty over his fate.

Details surrounding how Rideout was freed and the identity of those who held him have not been publicly confirmed.

Reuters previously reported, citing diplomatic sources, that Rideout was kidnapped by three armed men before being taken towards the western Tillaberi region, an area heavily affected by armed insurgency.

There had been fears that Rideout may have fallen into the hands of armed groups operating across the Sahel, including Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an al-Qaeda-linked organisation active in Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso.

Niger and its neighbours have faced years of escalating religious and armed insurgencies, with groups carrying out attacks against government forces, civilians and foreign interests across the region.

The insecurity has been particularly severe in areas bordering Mali and Burkina Faso, where armed groups have established a significant presence despite repeated military operations by regional governments and their former Western and current Russian security partners.

Shortly after Rideout’s kidnapping, the US government warned its citizens against travelling to Niger, citing the risks of terrorism, crime and civil unrest.

Rideout had lived and worked in Niger as a Christian missionary for around 19 years and also served as a pilot for SIM International, which operates in dozens of countries worldwide.

The organisation said Rideout would soon be reunited with his wife, children and wider family.

His release comes as Niger and several other Sahel states continue to confront persistent armed insurgencies that have killed thousands and displaced millions across large parts of West Africa.