Catholic priest appeals for prayers for evangelical missionary kidnapped in Niger

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ACI Africa, Oct 24, 2025 / 12:32 pm (CNA).

A Catholic priest in Burkina Faso has appealed for prayers for the safe release of an evangelical Christian missionary abducted in Niger on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Kevin Rideout, an American missionary, was abducted from his home in the country’s capital, Niamey, by three unidentified armed men suspected to be jihadists, said a note shared with ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa.

The note further said the American missionary is “dedicated to training missionary aviation pilots serving evangelical, medical, and church-planting ministries as well as providing emergency humanitarian air transport.”

“Preliminary findings from the investigation indicate that the kidnappers headed toward the Tillabéri region,” the note said.

In an interview with ACI Africa on Oct. 23, Father Etienne Tandamba, a member of the clergy of Burkina Faso’s Fada N’Gourma Diocese, appealed for prayers for the release of Rideout.

“We pray for his safe release. Burkina Faso just like Niger faces insecurity challenges due to jihadists’ presence,” Tandamba, the director of communications for the Diocese of Fada N’Gourma, told ACI Africa.

Rideout’s abduction in Niger comes amid worsening insecurity in the Sahel region, where Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger have all fallen under military rule following coups in 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively.

Rideout since 2010 has lived in Niamey, where he worked as a pilot for the U.S.-based Serving in Mission organization.

In response to the abduction, the U.S. Embassy in Niger issued a security alert on Oct. 22, saying: “American citizens remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city.”

“Due to heightened concern about the threat of kidnapping, the embassy has modified its security posture to require armored vehicles for all travel of embassy personnel and family members, restricted movements of embassy personnel and family members, and instituted a mandatory curfew and routine accountability,” the embassy said. 

It added that “all restaurants and open-air markets are off limits to U.S. embassy personnel and family members.”

This story was first published by ACI Africa, CNA’s news partner in Africa, and has been adapted by CNA.