American missionary kidnapped overseas is released and heading back to the US

Published: 04:29, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 04:29, 14 August 2026 An American missionary pilot who was kidnapped in Niger last fall has reportedly been released and is now en route back to the United States. Kevin Rideout, a 50-year-old pilot, was kidnapped in October outside his home in Niger's capital, Niamey, while working with an evangelical group. His release has been a priority for the Trump White House and the military's Africa Command, who were successfully able to bring him back into American custody on Thursday, two officials familiar with the matter told The New York Times. Details about how exactly Rideout was released remain unclear. It is also unclear which terrorist or criminal group held the missionary at the end of his capacity, as he may have recently been moved, according to one official. But he appeared to be in good health based on proof-of-life images that were provided to American officials over the past 48 hours, one of the officials said. Rideout had been working in Niger as a Christian missionary for 19 years. He also worked as a pilot for Serving in Mission, a Charlotte, North Carolina-based organization that bills itself as a 'global mission family serving in 70 countries' with a focus on outreach to communities with few Christians. Kevin Rideout, a 50-year-old pilot, has reportedly been released from captivity in Niger This is a breaking news story and will be updated.