American missionary pilot freed after months of captivity in Niger

Kevin Rideout, a missionary pilot affiliated with Serving in Mission, was kidnapped in Niger's capital Niamey in October and dragged toward the militant-active Tillaberi region. After more than eight months in captivity, one outlet reported that he has been released and is currently in U.S. hands, with proof-of-life photos confirming his condition. He is being flown back to the United States.

The report, based on statements from two U.S. officials, did not specify which group held him at the time of his release, noting that he may have been moved recently. Earlier, the U.S. issued a travel warning for Niger and had been seeking intelligence in neighboring Mali to locate the hostage, who was believed to be held by the al Qaeda affiliate JNIM. Both the State Department and the White House did not respond to inquiries outside regular hours.