Christians around the world were urged to pray after American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout was reportedly abducted from his home in Niamey, the capital of Niger.

Rideout, 48, works with Serving In Mission, also known as SIM, according to Radio France Internationale.

The outlet reported that Rideout was kidnapped on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 by three armed men near the Bravia Hotel, close to the presidential palace, in the city’s highly secure Château 1 neighbourhood.

US State Department officials in Niamey confirmed they were working to secure his release and described the case as a “top priority” for the Trump administration, according to CBS News.

The US Embassy in Niamey issued a security alert on Wednesday warning that American citizens remained at “a heightened risk of kidnapping” across Niger, including in the capital.

The alert said that embassy personnel and family members were now required to use armoured vehicles, observe a mandatory curfew, and avoid restaurants and open-air markets.

Both Rideout and his brother Ian have worked as pilots for the Charlotte-based organisation, supporting mission work and humanitarian projects across West Africa.

Franklin Graham, president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, urged his 11 million followers to pray for Rideout’s safe return following news of his abduction.