Kidnapping Release in Niger: U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the release of American missionary pilot Kevin Rideout, abducted in Niamey in October 2025, saying he is now back in U.S. custody and in good health; SIM International said he will soon reunite with his family, while details on who held him and how the release happened remain unclear. Sahel Security Deal: Reuters reports the hostage release was brokered with help from eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, with sources saying the handover went to eastern Libyan authorities and that a ransom may have been paid. Terror Financing Watch: A UN-linked report says a $50m ransom paid for a hostage seized by al Qaeda-linked militants in Mali helped fund advances across West Africa, with some money flowing to fighters in the Sahel and al Qaeda’s wider network. Local Policing: Niger State Police arrested 139 suspects in Suleja after violent rallies and criminal activity, with 64 arraigned and some allegedly found with weapons and cannabis. Regional Trade Push: ECOWAS engaged border communities on the Free Movement protocol along the Abidjan-Lagos corridor, urging traders and travelers to use established channels while staying security-conscious.