An American missionary working for a Christian organisation has been kidnapped in Niger’s capital, Niamey, marking the latest in a troubling series of abductions of foreign nationals.
The US State Department confirmed to AFP that its embassy in Niamey is actively working to secure the safe release of the missionary. The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association identified him as Kevin Rideout.
According to diplomatic sources cited by Reuters, Rideout served as a pilot for the evangelical organisation Serving in Mission (SIM) and was abducted by three unidentified men in the Plateau neighbourhood of Niamey while en route to the airport. The group then headed for the Tillabéri region near Niger’s western border, where fighters linked to Islamic State (ISIS) and al-Qaeda are known to operate.
