A U.S. Christian missionary in Niger was kidnapped from his home by men with suspected links to al-Qaida and ISIS.
The abducted missionary’s last tracked location was between the Nigerien capital and the Malian border in an area considered to be “a sanctuary for groups affiliated with the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara.”
Evangelical leaders across the world are calling the church to pray for Kevin Rideout, including Franklin Graham, CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.
“A missionary pilot with the Christian organization SIM International (Serving in Mission) has been abducted in the West African nation of Niger,” Franklin posted on social media. “It is being reported that he was taken north to areas controlled by an offshoot of ISIS. The State Department said it is a top priority of the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American, and they are supporting his recovery and safe return. Would you pray for his protection and that he will be released unharmed and able to come home?”
Three armed men kidnapped Rideout, a husband and father, less than 100 yards from the presidential palace, in Niger’s capital city, Niamey.
Rideout has been with SIM International since 2010 and serves with Concilium Inc., a ministry providing security resources to missionaries and persecuted Christians. He was last located through his cell phone less than an hour after the abduction, which occurred late Oct. 21.
Nigerien authorities speculate the Islamic State in the Greater Saraha, which operates along the borders of Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso, were responsible for the abduction.
In response, the U.S. Embassy in Niger has sounded a security alert, requiring “armored vehicles for all travel of Embassy personnel and family members, restricted movements of Embassy personnel and family members, and instituted a mandatory curfew and routine accountability. All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. Embassy personnel and family members.”
A spokesman for the U.S. State Department announced that embassy officials have been working with local authorities to rescue Rideout.
“It is a top priority for the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American,” the spokesperson said, “and we are seeing efforts from across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe return of this U.S. citizen.”
Bryan Stern, founder of the conflict and disaster response group Grey Bull Rescue, explained to Fox News Digital why securing a hostage in Niger can be difficult.
“What happens in most of these cases is whoever took the hostage isn’t who’s holding on to the hostage,” Stern said. “ … It’s easy to understand who took somebody, but once people start getting traded around like cards and stuff, it’s hard to then understand what the current holding party wants.”
In July 2023, Niger’s democratically elected government collapsed by a military coup. The country has been battling armed groups for years, including groups linked to al-Qaeda and the ISIS.
Scott Brawner, president of Concilium, is asking believers to “pray without ceasing” for Rideout.
“Ask the Lord to guard him, strengthen his faith, and fill him with peace that passes understanding,” Brawner said. “Pray for his family, his colleagues, and those working for his release. Ask God to use Kevin’s courage to stir the Church toward deeper faith and obedience. Let his example remind us that following Christ often involves risk, yet no place or circumstance lies outside God’s care. May Kevin’s steadfast witness move us to live boldly for Jesus wherever He sends us.”
Josh Sullivan, a missionary in South Africa who was kidnapped in April, held for ransom, but rescued after a shootout, asks Christians to pray for not only Rideout but for God to send more missionaries into spiritually dark places.
“It just seems that is maybe a religious thing unlike mine which was just strictly money,” Sullivan told Fox News. “This is a religious thing. Christians are being attacked all over the world. Not only is that something we need to pray for, but also something that hopefully will encourage young men to realize that we need more missionaries. Pray for missionaries to be sent all over the word. Even in dangerous places, people need to hear the Word of Jesus Christ, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Niger is the 28th most dangerous country for people to be Christian, according to Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List.
“The presence of radical Islamist groups has led to frequent attacks and kidnappings, significantly limiting the freedom and safety of Christians,” Open Doors reports.
Only an estimated .2% of Niger’s population are Christian while the majority of the population is Muslim.
