US Government: Missionary’s Safety Is ‘Top Priority’
On Oct. 22, the day after Kevin Rideout was kidnapped in Niger, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said it’s a “top priority for the Trump administration” to safeguard all Americans. “We are seeing efforts from across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe return of this U.S. citizen,” the spokesperson added.
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert about “a heightened risk of kidnapping” throughout Niger. It also imposed a curfew, required embassy staff and their families to travel via armored vehicle, and prohibited them from visiting restaurants and open-air markets.
Due to political turmoil during the past five years, West and Central Africa have been dubbed a “coup belt.” In July 2023, a military junta overthrew Niger’s President Mohamed Bazoum, who’s been under house arrest in the presidential palace in Naimey. Leaders of the coup expelled American and French forces from the country, replacing them with Russian mercenaries.
In Niger this year, several foreign nationals have been kidnapped, including an Austrian woman in January and a Swiss woman in April. Both are still being held captive. Other recent abductees include Moroccan truck drivers, Chinese oil-company employees, and Indian power-company workers.
As prayer requests for Rideout spread across social media, some people are questioning the lack of U.S. media coverage about his kidnapping. Others are appealing to President Trump to secure the Christian missionary’s freedom.
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ChurchLeaders reached out to SIM for comment and will update this article with any reply.
, was abducted in Niger’s capital, Niamey. Family, friends, and faith leaders are calling for prayer as U.S. officials work for his safe release.){kind=link}