U.S. President Donald Trump says American Christian missionary and pilot Kevin Rideout is released after more than nine months in captivity in Niger. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump says Rideout is preparing to return to the United States following his reunion with his wife, Krista.
The reports also say Rideout was abducted outside his home in Niamey in October 2025 and taken to the Tillaberi region, where militant activity is reported. SIM International is cited as confirming Rideout is in good health and is under the care of U.S. officials. While outlets relay Trump’s account of the reunion and imminent travel, they also note that key details about how Rideout’s captors were identified and how his release was secured are not fully provided in the available coverage.
