By Sandra Kenneth
Released American Christian missionary Kevin Rideout is preparing to return to the United States after enduring more than nine months in captivity in Niger, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Sunday.
Rideout, a veteran pilot with the global Christian organization SIM International, was abducted in October 2025 outside his home in Niamey, Niger, by three-armed assailants. He was subsequently taken to the Tillaberi region in western Niger, an area long plagued by militant group activity.
Confirming the news on his Truth Social platform, President Trump announced that Rideout had safely reunited with his wife, Krista, and was preparing for his return flight to the U.S.
“I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump wrote, adding that Rideout represents the 110th captive American liberated during his second presidential term. “I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!”
SIM International confirmed that Rideout is currently in good health and under the care of U.S. officials. Prior to his abduction, Rideout had served in Niger for 19 years as part of SIM International’s global outreach operations spanning over 70 countries.
Specific details regarding the operation or negotiations that secured Rideout’s release, as well as the exact identity of his captors, have not yet been disclosed by U.S. or Nigerien officials.
