Trump announces return of American missionary from Niger captivity
American missionary Kevin Raidout was released after more than nine months in captivity by militants in Niger and returned to the United States, where President Donald Trump announced his return and planned a meeting with the family at the White House.
Consensus
- Kevin Raidout, an American missionary, was released from captivity in Niger after more than nine months.
- He was held by militants in Niger.
- President Donald Trump announced his return to the United States.
- Trump plans to meet with Kevin Raidout and his wife at the White House.
- Raidout was abducted in October 2025 in Niamey, the capital of Niger.
- The specific militant group responsible for his captivity is unknown.
- Raidout worked for the Christian missionary organization SIM International.
Points of divergence
- Raidout was taken to the western region of Tillabéri, where Islamist militants operate. — kommersant
- Raidout is described as a 50-year-old pilot-missionary. — vesti
- Raidout was handed over to U.S. authorities on Friday. — kommersant
- No armed group in Niger has claimed responsibility for the abduction. — vesti
- Trump stated this marks the 110th American released from captivity since his second inauguration. — kommersant
- Trump also announced the release of an American woman detained in Iran in 2024. — vesti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Trump reported on the return of an American missionary from captivity in Nigeria — Коммерсантъ
- Trump: American held in Niger will return to the US — Вести