American missionary and pilot Kevin Rideout, who spent more than nine months in captivity after being abducted in Niger, has regained his freedom and is preparing to return to the United States, President Donald Trump has announced.
Trump disclosed Rideout’s release in a post on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, saying the former hostage had been reunited with his wife, Krista, and was getting ready to travel back home.
The US President described Rideout’s release as another milestone in efforts to secure the freedom of American citizens held captive abroad.
Trump wrote, “I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista.”
He added that Rideout was the 110th American captive to be liberated since he returned to office for his second term.
“I look forward to seeing Kevin and Krista at the White House soon!” Trump said.
Rideout, a Christian missionary with SIM International, was abducted outside his residence in Niamey, the Nigerien capital, in October 2025.
Reports indicated that three armed men seized the missionary and took him to the Tillaberi region in western Niger, an area that has experienced significant militant activity.
SIM International said following his release that Rideout was in good health and receiving care from US officials.
However, details about how the missionary secured his freedom, including the identity of his captors and the circumstances surrounding the negotiations or operation that led to his release, had not been made public.
Rideout had spent 19 years working in Niger, where he served as a pilot for SIM International, a Christian organisation involved in humanitarian and missionary activities across more than 70 countries.
His release brings an end to a lengthy period of uncertainty for his family and supporters, who had awaited his safe return since his abduction.