US missionary Kevin Rideout freed after nine months in Niger captivity, heading home
American missionary Kevin Rideout, kidnapped in Niamey, Niger, in Oct 2025, has been released after more than nine months in captivity and will fly home to the United States; President Trump announced the reunion with Rideout’s wife Krista and SIM International confirmed the release, noting Rideout is in good health. The case unfolds amid Niger’s post‑coup instability and Islamist militant activity, and his release marks the 110th American captive freed since Trump began his second term.