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He will soon be reunited with his extended family, the statement
added.
Rideout was back in U.S. custody on Friday, the country’s
President Donald Trump said in a post on social media.
“Kevin, the United States of America looks forward to welcoming
you HOME. Glad to have helped!” Trump wrote.
Rideout was kidnapped in the West African country's capital,
Niamey, on Oct. 21 by three armed individuals and was probably
driven out of town, according to information provided by a
security official at the time.
No armed group claimed responsibility for the abduction.
Niger has long faced attacks from armed groups including jihadis
linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State organization.
The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert a day after
Rideout's kidnapping, warning that U.S. citizens “remain at a
heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the
capital city.”
Niger is ruled by a military junta that took power in 2023 after
deposing the democratically elected president, Mohamed Bazoum.
The new authorities ousted Western partners including the United
States, which had soldiers in Niger, and forged a new security
and diplomatic alliance with Russia.
In June, more than 30 people were killed when gunmen attacked
the main airport in Niamey. It was the second attack this year
at the airport, a strategic hub that serves as the ruling
military’s command, hosting its air force base and most of its
drones and aircraft. It’s also the headquarters of the regional
alliance that brings together troops from Niger, Mali and
Burkina Faso.
The violence is the latest sign of armed groups increasingly
targeting cities and urban centers in Africa’s Sahel region.
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