An American missionary, Kevin Rideout was abducted from his home in Niamey, capital of Niger by three unidentified armed men who are suspected to be jihadists.
A catholic priest in Burkina Faso has appealed for prayers for the safe release of the missionary abducted in Niger on October 21.
In a note shared with ACI Africa, the American Missionary is dedicated to training missionary aviation pilots serving evangelical, medical, and church planting ministries as well as providing humanitarian air transport.
According to the preliminary findings from the investigation indicates that the kidnappers are headed towards the Tillaberi region.
Father Etienne Tandamba, a member of the clergy of Burkina Faso’s Fada N’Gourma Diocese, appealed for prayers for the release of Rideout. He prayed for the safe release of Kevin Rideout.
Rideout’s abduction in Niger highlights the worsening insecurity across the Sahel, where Mali (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger (2023) have all recently fallen under military rule following coups. Rideout had been living in Niamey since 2010, working as a pilot for the U.S.-based organization, Serving in Mission.
In response to the abduction, the US Embassy in Niger issued a security alert on October 22 stating that American citizens remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including the capital city.
The embassy announced that heightened concern regarding the threat of kidnapping had led to a modification of its security posture. The changes include requiring armored vehicles for all travel by personnel and family members, restricting their movements, and implementing a mandatory curfew and routine accountability process.