Kevin Rideout Released After 9 Months Captive | Salt Lake City News

Salt Lake City News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 14, 2026 · 1m

American missionary Kevin Rideout, kidnapped in Niger’s capital Niamey nine months ago, has been safely released and is now in U.S. custody—bringing immense relief after a harrowing ordeal amid escalating violence across the Sahel. Though no group claimed responsibility, the abduction underscores the growing danger for Westerners in Niger, where instability fueled by extremist groups and a volatile military junta has intensified. Recent attacks—including a deadly July assault on Niamey’s airport—signal a troubling trend: armed factions are increasingly targeting urban centers. Rideout’s…