Americans celebrated Friday the safe return of Kevin Rideout, a missionary pilot who had been held captive in Africa for nearly a year.
President Donald Trump publicly addressed the development on social media, stating: “Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME,” he added, “Glad to have helped!”
The announcement followed earlier Friday from Rideout’s evangelical missionary organization, SIM International, which reported that the American was “in good health in the care of U.S. officials” and would soon be reunited with his family.
Rideout, a 50-year-old pilot, was abducted outside his home in Niger’s capital Niamey on October 21 by three armed individuals. No group claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.
Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups linked to al-Qaida and Islamic State organizations.
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert following the abduction, warning that American citizens “remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.”
Niger is governed by a military junta that seized power in 2023 after removing democratically elected President Mohamed Bazoum. The new authorities have expelled Western partners such as the United States, which had military forces stationed there, and formed a security and diplomatic alliance with Russia.
In June, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked Niamey’s main airport, marking the second attack at the airport this year. The airport serves as a critical hub for the ruling military, housing its air force base and most of its drones and aircraft. It is also the headquarters of a regional alliance comprising troops from Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso.
