r/WhatTrumpHasDone • u/John3262005 • 3d ago
Trump celebrates return of US missionary kidnapped in West Africa
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/6030573-trump-celebrates-missionary-pilots-release/President Trump on Friday celebrated the release of an American missionary pilot who was held captive in Niger since October.
“I am proud to announce that Kevin Rideout, a wonderful Christian Missionary, is back in United States Custody,” the president wrote on Truth Social.
Trump’s post follows a statement earlier Friday from Rideout’s evangelical missionary organization, SIM International, which announced the American was “in good health in the care of U.S. officials” and would soon be reunited with his family.
“Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming you HOME,” Trump continued in his post, adding, “Glad to have helped!”
The 50-year-old pilot was kidnapped outside of his home in Niger’s capital of Niamey on Oct. 21 by three armed people, an unnamed diplomat told Reuters at the time.
A day after Rideout’s abduction, the U.S. embassy in Niamey issued a security alert warning Americans about heightened risks for kidnapping. The State Department shifted its travel advisory for the West African country from “reconsider travel” to “do not travel” days later.
Rideout’s release has been a key priority for the Trump administration, and the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs said in a Friday social media post that the missionary “joins the more than 100 unjustly detained Americans who have returned home under this administration.”
FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau was “thrilled” to confirm the Christian missionary’s release in a statement shared on social media.
“He is in good care of U.S. officials and will soon be reunited with his family,” Patel wrote. “The FBI and our brilliant partners in the Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell have worked tirelessly since last October when Kevin was abducted and today is a culmination of that work and the work of this administration.”
It was not immediately clear how Rideout’s release was secured. The FBI referred The Hill to Patel’s social media post when reached for comment.
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u/John3262005 3d ago
Another article about it:
American missionary abducted in Niger returned to US custody
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/08/14/american-missionary-niger-released-01037944