American Missionary Kevin Rideout Released After Nine Months in Captivity in Niger

American missionary Kevin Rideout, kidnapped in Niamey, Niger on 21 October 2025, has been released after nine months in captivity, SIM International confirmed on 14 August 2026. Rideout is in good health and in the care of US officials. No armed group claimed responsibility for the abduction, unusual in a Sahel region where jihadist factions routinely claim kidnappings of foreigners.