American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout has been released after more than nine months in captivity in Niger and is preparing to return to the United States, President Donald Trump has announced.
Trump disclosed the development in a Truth Social post on Sunday, saying Rideout had already been reunited with his wife, Krista.
“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.
The US president described Rideout’s release as the “110th captive American liberated” since he began his second term and said he looked forward to welcoming Rideout and his wife to the White House.
Rideout, a Christian missionary and pilot with Serving in Mission International, was abducted in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on October 21, 2025.
His organisation confirmed after his release that he was in good health and under the care of US officials.
Rideout had worked in Niger for about 19 years, serving as a missionary pilot involved in aviation support for evangelical, medical and humanitarian activities.
Three armed men were reported to have abducted him from outside his home in Niamey before fleeing towards the Tillabéri region in western Niger, where militant groups linked to Islamic State and al-Qaeda have maintained a presence.
The circumstances surrounding his captivity and release remained unclear.
His abduction attracted particular attention because it happened in Niamey, close to Niger’s presidential palace, in an area considered relatively secure.
The kidnapping also came against the backdrop of deteriorating security across the Sahel and worsening relations between Niger’s military government and Western countries.
Niger has faced persistent attacks from jihadist groups since a military coup in 2023. The junta subsequently moved away from its previous security partnership with Western countries, including the United States, while strengthening ties with Russia.
US officials had worked to establish Rideout’s whereabouts during the long captivity.
Reuters reported that authorities in eastern Libya led by military commander Khalifa Haftar may have been involved in securing his release. However, accounts differed over whether the operation involved negotiations, a ransom arrangement or military action, and the US government had not publicly confirmed those details.
No militant group publicly claimed responsibility for Rideout’s kidnapping.
His release now brings an end to more than nine months of uncertainty for his family and colleagues.
SIM International, the Christian organisation that employed Rideout, operates in more than 70 countries and had previously said it was grateful for efforts to secure his freedom.
Rideout is expected to return to the United States after his reunion with his wife, bringing to a close one of the more closely watched American hostage cases in the Sahel.
