American Missionary Kidnapped in Niamey

An American missionary and pilot for Serving In Mission, identified by some outlets as Kevin Rideout, was kidnapped in Niamey on Tuesday night by three armed men as he headed to the airport near the presidential palace. Security and diplomatic sources say the abductors likely drove him toward the western Tillaberi region bordering Mali, a stronghold for Islamic State- and al-Qaida-linked militants; no group has claimed responsibility and no ransom demand has been reported. The U.S. Embassy and the State Department said they are aware of the incident and are working with Nigerien authorities to secure his safe return. Observers link a recent spike in foreign kidnappings to deteriorating security since Niger’s 2023 coup, when the junta expelled Western forces and jihadist groups expanded operations. The case follows several recent abductions of foreigners and underscores growing risks to aid workers, missionaries and other expatriates across the Sahel.