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Trump: US missionary kidnapped in Niger released

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • U.S. missionary Kevin Rideout, kidnapped in Niger last year, has been released and reunited with his wife.
  • President Trump announced the missionary's release and expressed anticipation for welcoming the couple to the White House.
  • Niger has been experiencing significant jihadist violence, and the circumstances and perpetrators of Rideout's kidnapping remain unclear.

American missionary Kevin Rideout, who was abducted last year outside his residence in Niger's capital, Niamey, has been released and is preparing to return to the United States. President Donald Trump announced the news on his social media platform, Truth Social, stating that Rideout has been reunited with his wife, Krista.

"I am happy to announce that former hostage Rideout is preparing to fly back to the United States after reuniting with his beautiful wife Krista," Trump wrote. He added that he looks forward to hosting the couple at the White House. Rideout was serving with the evangelical Christian organization SIM International.

Niger has been grappling with widespread jihadist violence for three years under military rule. The country has seen a series of Western abductions in the past year. The specific group responsible for kidnapping Rideout and the location of his captivity are not yet known.

Following Rideout's abduction, the U.S. State Department issued its highest-level travel warning for Niger, advising citizens to avoid the country due to dangers including crime, civil unrest, terrorism, and kidnapping.

I am happy to announce that former hostage Rideout is preparing to fly back to the United States after reuniting with his beautiful wife Krista.

— Donald TrumpPresident Trump announced the release of U.S. missionary Kevin Rideout on his social media platform, Truth Social.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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