American Pilot Kidnapped in Nigerien Capital

Three unidentified armed men abducted American citizen Kevin Riedout from Niamey during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday and took him to an undisclosed location amid suspicions of involvement by ISIS mercenaries. The U.S. Embassy in Niamey has strengthened its security measures, citing what it described as a growing threat of kidnappings targeting U.S. nationals in Niger.

The U.S. State Department confirmed the kidnapping without disclosing details. According to Niger News, the gunmen who were driving a Toyota Corolla  stormed the American’s residence in an area located only a few hundred meters from the presidential palace and the Bravia Grand Hotel, one of the most secure zones in the capital. After carrying out the operation, the attackers disappeared without leaving any trace, the report added.

Local reports identified the victim as Kevin Riedout (48), a pilot working for the evangelical missionary organization Serving in Mission, which has been active in Niger for years through medical, educational, and agricultural projects.

It is believed that the kidnappers took him north toward the border with Mali, where groups affiliated with ISIS in the Greater Sahara operate, according to Fox News, which cited official U.S. sources.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson stated that the government is making “coordinated efforts at the highest levels to secure the release of the American citizen,” noting close cooperation with Nigerien authorities.

The U.S. Embassy in Niamey issued a statement warning of the rising threat of kidnappings in the country and announced new security measures, including the use of armored vehicles, restrictions on staff movements, and the imposition of a nighttime curfew.

Kidnapping foreigners for ransom remains one of the main sources of funding for extremist groups in the Sahel region. Niger alone has witnessed at least 14 foreign nationals kidnapped this year, including citizens of Austria, China, India, Morocco, and Switzerland, in operations mostly attributed to ISIS mercenaries and their local affiliates.

ANHA