President Donald Trump said on Aug. 16 that the American missionary pilot who was kidnapped in Niger last year is set to fly back to the United States following his release from captivity.
Kevin Rideout, a pilot with Christian missionary organization Serving In Mission International, was abducted by three men outside his home in Niger’s capital, Niamey, on Oct. 21, 2025. Rideout was released and transferred to U.S. custody on Aug. 14.
“I am happy to reveal that former hostage Kevin Rideout is getting ready to fly home to the United States after having been reunited with his beautiful wife, Krista,” Trump said in a Truth Social post….