An American missionary, Kevin Rideout, has been released after spending more than nine months in captivity in Niger, his employer, the international Christian organisation SIM International, confirmed on Friday.
Mr Rideout, who works as a Christian missionary and pilot, was kidnapped outside his home in Niger's capital, Niamey, last year. SIM International stated that he was now "in good health in the care of US officials".
The New York Times, which was the first to report Mr Rideout's release, cited unnamed US officials who indicated he was currently in FBI custody. However, specifics regarding the manner of his release and the identity of his captors have not yet been made public.
Concerns had been raised during his captivity that Mr Rideout may have been abducted by militant groups, who have increasingly resorted to violence and kidnappings as tactical tools within the region.
Mr Rideout's kidnapping occurred in October, carried out by three armed men. He was subsequently taken to the western Tillaberi region, an area widely recognised as a hotbed of militant activity, according to reports from news agency Reuters, citing diplomatic sources.
Fears were widespread that he could have been held by militant organisations such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), an affiliate of al-Qaeda known for its involvement in several attacks across the region.
Niger has been plagued for many years by Islamist militant groups operating from neighbouring countries including Nigeria, Mali, and Burkina Faso. These groups routinely target both civilian populations and military personnel, contributing to widespread instability.
The Sahel region as a whole has witnessed an escalating wave of violence, with jihadist factions engaging in conflict against government security forces, as well as Western and other allied troops deployed in the area.
Following Mr Rideout's abduction, within days of the incident, the United States issued a warning to its citizens advising against travel to Niger. The advisory cited an "increased risk of terrorism, crime and civil unrest" as primary reasons.
The New York Times also reported that Mr Rideout, who is a trained pilot, may have been transferred between different groups before his eventual release.
SIM International announced that Mr Rideout would soon be reunited with his wife, their children, and his wider family. He had been dedicated to his missionary work in Niger for 19 years and also served as a pilot for SIM International, an organisation with operations spanning more than 70 countries globally.
The organisation described Mr Rideout's release as "incredibly good news", coming after many months of uncertainty regarding his welfare and safety.
"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," a statement from SIM International read.
The family has since requested privacy as they endeavour to "reconnect after this time apart," the organisation added.
Mr Rideout's release occurs against a backdrop where several countries across West Africa and the broader Sahel region continue to grapple with severe terror attacks. Nations such as Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria have been contending with more than a decade of persistent violence, which has tragically claimed thousands of lives and significantly contributed to regional destabilisation.
In addition to the ongoing security challenges, the region has also recently experienced a series of military takeovers, leading to the overthrow of several democratically elected governments.
