US missionary abducted in Niger released after nine months in captivity, Christian organization says
U.S. officials said proof-of-life images showed Rideout was in good health before his release after about 9 months in captivity.
- Yesterday, American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout was released into United States custody after being held in Niamey, Niger, since last year. Proof-of-life images provided in the past 48 hours confirmed his good health.
- Rideout was seized by unidentified men last year while heading to the airport. The kidnappers moved toward the western Tillaberi region, an area where Islamist militants are active.
- United States officials pushed to resume intelligence gathering in Mali earlier this year to locate the pilot. Intelligence previously suggested the Qaeda affiliate JNIM held him.
- Specifics regarding the release method and location remain unclear. The White House and State Department did not respond to requests for comment, leaving the identity of his captors uncertain.
- Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso battle Islamist insurgencies spanning over a decade. Shortly after the kidnapping, United States officials issued travel warnings citing terrorism, crime, and kidnapping risks.
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American missionary Kevin Rideout, kidnapped in Niger in October and presumed to be held by the Sahelian branch of the Islamic State, has been "released".
US missionary freed months after abduction
Kevin Rideout was kidnapped in Niger last year and no group has claimed responsibility An American missionary abducted in Niger last year has been released after spending more than nine months in captivity, the Christian organization Serving In Mission (SIM) said on Friday. “Kevin is in good health and is currently in the care of...
(Johannesburg = Yonhap News) Correspondent Na Hak-jin = Kevin Rideout (50), an American missionary who was kidnapped in Niger, West Africa last year, was released after nine months.
American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, 50, has been released after spending 10 months kidnapped in Niger. He is already on his way to the United States, according to information released this Thursday (13) by American authorities heard by The New York Times. Rideout had been captured on October 21, in front of his own house in Niamey, the country's capital.
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