American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout has been safely released after spending over nine months in captivity following his abduction in Niger, his ministry organization confirmed on Friday, August 14, 2026.
Rideout is currently under the care of U.S. federal officials, including agents from the FBI, and is reported to be in good health as arrangements are made to return him to the United States.
The Charlotte-based Christian ministry organization SIM International (Serving In Mission) issued a statement Friday confirming Rideout’s release and safety:
“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” said SIM International Director Phil Bauman. “Kevin is in good health in the care of US officials.”
The ministry noted that Rideout will soon be reunited with his wife, Krista, their children, and extended family. His family expressed deep gratitude for the global support and prayers received throughout the ordeal while requesting privacy as they reconnect.
Rideout, who has worked as a humanitarian pilot in Niger for nearly two decades, was intercepted by three armed assailants outside his residence in the Plateau district of Niamey on October 21, 2025.
The site of the abduction was located near Niamey’s main airport and approximately 100 yards from the residential complex where deposed President Mohamed Bazoum was detained following the July 2023 coup.
Regional diplomats reported that the captors drove Rideout toward the western Tillabéri region on October 22, a tri-border zone near Mali known for active insurgent networks. In response, the U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued security advisories regarding heightened kidnapping risks across the country.
U.S. officials reviewed proof-of-life images on August 12-13, confirming Rideout remained unharmed in the days leading up to his transition to American custody. On August 14, 2026 Official confirmation of Rideout’s safety was announced publicly by SIM International and U.S. diplomatic sources.
While no extremist group officially claimed responsibility for the kidnapping, the Sahel region, spanning Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso—has experienced elevated security risks from insurgent groups affiliated with al-Qaeda (such as JNIM) and the Islamic State.
The incident unfolded during a period of shifting diplomatic dynamics in the nation following the 2023 military coup led by General Abdourahamane Tiani. Specific operational details regarding the negotiation process or the exact circumstances of Rideout’s handover remain confidential.
