NC missionary pilot freed after 9 months in captivity in Niger

An American missionary from North Carolina has been released after being kidnapped in the West African country of Niger in October.

Kevin Rideout, a 50-year-old pilot for Charlotte-based Serving in Mission-SIM Christian missionary organization, was abducted outside his home in Niamey on Oct. 21, about 100 yards from the presidential palace.

SIM, founded in 1893, is an international mission organization with thousands of workers serving in more than 70 countries.

He had been working in Niger as a Christian missionary for 19 years according to the New York Times.

The Economic Times reported that the deal to free Rideout was brokered with the help of the eastern Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, four sources told Reuters.

“We are grateful to confirm that our good friend and brother in Christ, Kevin Rideout, has been released after over nine months in captivity,” SIM said in a statement on its website. “Kevin is in good health in the care of US officials. He will soon be reunited with Krista, his children, and his extended family. Krista and the rest of Kevin’s family are profoundly grateful for the prayers offered on their behalf by people around the world throughout his captivity, and in particular for the deep level of prayer and support offered by our SIM family.”

According to a report in the New York Times, Rideout arrived at Ramstein Air Base in Germany and was undergoing medical evaluation.

The news outlet added that President Donald Trump had said in May that American and Nigerian forces had killed Abu Bilal al-Minuki, a high-ranking Islamic State leader in Lake Chad, a region at the intersection of four countries, including Nigeria and Niger, which influenced the decision for the kidnappers to release Rideout.

The president made the announcement of his release on Truth Social Friday morning.

“I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody,” he said. “Kevin was kidnapped by Jihadi terrorists in West Africa — The epicenter of Islamist terrorism, where there have been more deadly attacks in the past year than anywhere else on Earth. Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME. Glad to have helped!”

US Sen. Ted Budd, R-NC, also commented on Rideout’s release on X.

Kevin Rideout, an American missionary and pilot serving with Charlotte-based SIM, is finally free after more than nine months in captivity in Niger. Grateful for his release, good health, and reunion with his family.

His courage to share the Gospel is a reminder that Christians…

— Senator Ted Budd (@SenTedBuddNC) August 14, 2026

“Kevin Rideout, an American missionary and pilot serving with Charlotte-based SIM, is finally free after more than nine months in captivity in Niger,” he said. “Grateful for his release, good health, and reunion with his family. His courage to share the Gospel is a reminder that Christians still face persecution around the world. That’s why I’m working to hold religious persecutors accountable.”

Franklin Graham also commented on Rideout’s release on X.

We thank God that American missionary Kevin Rideout has been freed and is on his way home! Kevin is a pilot with @simintl and was kidnapped in Niger in October. This is an answer to prayer! I know that his wife and four children are so grateful and excited to finally have him…

— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 14, 2026

“NC missionary pilot freed after 9 months in captivity in Niger” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.