US missionary released after nine months in Niger captivity

Kevin Rideout, a pilot for the evangelical missionary agency SIM International, was abducted in Niamey, the capital of Niger, on Tuesday. The incident was reported by local authorities and the agency, which confirmed that Rideout had been taken while on a flight related to the organization’s humanitarian work in the region. No ransom demand or threat of violence has been issued, and security officials say the abduction is being treated as a serious crime.

SIM International, a Christian mission organization that provides medical, educational, and logistical support in several African countries, has called for a swift resolution to the case. Rideout’s colleagues and the Nigerien police are cooperating in the investigation, and the agency has urged the international community to remain vigilant for any further incidents involving its staff. The situation remains under close monitoring as authorities work to locate the pilot and determine the motives behind the abduction.