American missionary Kevin Rideout set to head home to US after more than 9 months in captivity
Kevin Rideout, an American missionary who was abducted in Niger and released after more than nine months of detention, is ready to fly home to the United States, President Donald Trump announced on Sunday.Trump said Rideout was reunited with his wife, adding: “This return marks the 110th captive American liberated since I was sworn in as President for a second time.I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!”Christian missionary organization SIM International previously announced Rideout’s release.“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” the organization said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.Rideout was kidnapped near his home in Niger’s capital Niamey on Oct.
21, 2025, SIM said.He was released into the care of US officials and is in good health, according to the organization.Rideout, who serves as a pilot for the North Carolina-based SIM, will now return to his wife and children.“He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children, and his extended family,” SIM International’s statement read.“Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family,” the statement also read.Trump previously acknowledged Rideout’s rescue in a social media post Friday, adding that the missionary is back in US custody after being kidnapped by “Jihadi terrorists.” “I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody.Kevin was kidnapped by Jihadi terrorists in West Africa — The epicenter of Islamist terrorism, where there have been more deadly attacks in the past year than anywhere else on Earth,” Trump wrote in a Friday post on Truth Social. “Kevin, the United States of Ame...