DERA - Monday, August 17, 2026

US President Donald Trump has announced the release of American missionary Kevin Rideout, who spent more than nine months in captivity in Niger after being abducted outside his home in Niamey in October 2025.

In a post on his Truth Social account Sunday, Trump said Rideout had been reunited with his wife, Krista, and was preparing to return to the United States.

“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,” Trump wrote, adding that he looked forward to welcoming the couple at the White House soon.

Rideout, a pilot with SIM International, had worked in Niger for 19 years before his abduction by armed men who reportedly took him to the Tillaberi region, an area plagued by militant activity.

SIM International confirmed that Rideout is in good health and currently under the care of US officials. Details of his release, including the identity of his captors and how his freedom was secured, remain unclear.

Trump noted that Rideout’s release marks the 110th American captive freed since the start of his second presidential term.

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