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American missionary Kevin Rideout, who was kidnapped in Niger last year, has been reunited with his wife and is preparing to return to the United States, President Donald Trump has announced.
Trump made the announcement on Sunday in a post on his Truth Social platform, saying Rideout had reunited with his wife, Krista.
“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.
He added that he looked forward to welcoming the couple to the White House.
Rideout, who worked with evangelical Christian missionary group SIM International, was kidnapped outside his home in Niger’s capital, Niamey, in October 2025.
SIM International said his release was announced on Friday and that he was “in good health in the care of US officials.”
It remains unclear which group kidnapped Rideout or where he was held during his captivity.
The New York Times, which first reported his release, said the 50-year-old had worked as a missionary in Niger for 19 years and also served as a pilot for SIM International.
Niger has faced increased terrorist violence since a military junta took power three years ago, with several Westerners kidnapped in the country.
Following Rideout’s abduction, the US State Department issued its highest travel warning for Niger, advising Americans to avoid travelling to the country because of crime, unrest, terrorism, health risks and kidnapping.
Rideout’s case follows other high-profile kidnappings involving Americans in Niger.
US missionary Philip Walton was kidnapped near the Nigerian border in October 2020 and freed later that month following a US special forces operation in northern Nigeria.
US humanitarian worker Jeffery Woodke, who was kidnapped by terrorists in 2016, was released in 2023.
