Three armed men abducted American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout from his home in the middle of the night last week in Niamey, Niger.  

The suspected Islamic jihadists kidnapped 48-year-old Rideout, a pilot for Serving in Mission (SIM), less than 100 yards from the presidential palace in Niger’s capital. Rideout’s cell phone location last placed him in an area considered to be a haven for extremist groups tied to the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara around Oct. 21.  

Rideout also serves with Concilium, which provides security resources to missionaries and persecuted Christians.  

The U.S. Department of State issued a statement, saying it is aware of Rideout’s abduction.  

“Since we were alerted to the situation, our Embassy officials have been working with local authorities,” the statement said.  

Rideout and his brother, Ian, have worked as SIM pilots for years, flying mission personnel and equipment across West Africa to help multiple missions and humanitarian organizations.

Jihadists in Niger have kidnapped U.S. missionaries before. Jeff Woodke was freed from captivity in 2023 after spending several years in an al-Qaida-affiliated group’s camp.  

Since Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, leader of the presidential guard unit, led a military coup in 2023, Christian persecution has worsened. Ulf Laessing, who leads The Kondrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Sahel program, said Islamic extremists are kidnapping tourists and aid workers more than ever.  

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