NIAMEY, Niger (BP) — An evangelical Christian missionary from the United States was kidnapped late Oct. 21 in Niamey, Niger, less than 100 yards from the presidential palace, CBS News reported.

Several news outlets, including Crosswalk and the Long War Journal, identified the missionary as Kevin Rideout of Serving in Mission (SIM) International.

Rideout was taken from his home by three unidentified, armed men suspected to be jihadists, according to news reports. Baptist Press requested comments from SIM’s U.S. office in North Carolina, but had not received a reply by deadline.

The U.S. Embassy in Niger issued a countrywide security alert Oct. 22 in response to the kidnapping.

“American citizens remain at a heightened risk of kidnapping throughout Niger, including in the capital city,” the embassy alerted Americans there. “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. All restaurants and open-air markets are off-limits to U.S. Embassy personnel and family members.”

The U.S. State Department issued a statement regarding the kidnapping, but did not name the victim.

The State Department is “aware of reports of the kidnapping of a U.S. citizen in Niamey, Niger. Since we were alerted of the situation, our Embassy officials have been working with local authorities,” the Associated Press quoted a department spokesperson. “It is a top priority for the Trump Administration to look after the safety of every American, and we are seeing efforts from across the U.S. government to support the recovery and safe return of this U.S. citizen.”

Tony Lynn, a North American Mission Board Send Network catalyst who formerly served in Niger, requested prayer for Rideout and his family in a Facebook post.

“Missionary kidnapped this week in a county we called home, with our children, for years,” Lynn posted with a Rideout family photo. “Pray w/ us for his rescue/release. He is a pilot w/ SIM International.”

Christian persecution has increased in Niger since the July 2023 military coup by Gen. Abdourahamane Tiani, head of the presidential guard unit. 

The coup interrupted the work of a Southern Baptist mission team from Harmony Hill Baptist Church in Lufkin, Texas, which returned safely home that August. Coup instigators, calling themselves the National Council for the Safeguarding of the Country, closed Niger’s borders and airspace and enacted a curfew, preventing the team from returning July 30 as originally planned. The team sheltered in place while leaders in the U.S. and abroad worked to get them home.

Persecution watchdog group Open Doors ranks Niger as the 28th most dangerous country for Christians globally in its 2025 World Watch List. The jihadist group al-Sunnah wa Jama’ah is a major driver of the persecution, Open Doors said of the country where Christians number about 69,200, comprising an estimated 0.2% of the population. Islam is the majority religion there.

“The presence of radical Islamist groups has led to frequent attacks and kidnappings, significantly limiting the freedom and safety of Christians,” Open Doors wrote. “It’s also led to a rise in attacks on Christian property, such as churches, schools and health-care centers.”

(EDITOR’S NOTE — Diana Chandler is Baptist Press’ senior writer.)