Overview
- Nigeria’s president has declared a nationwide security emergency after rising kidnappings and attacks on schools and places of worship.
- More than 300 pupils and 12 staff were seized from St Mary’s Catholic School on November 21, and authorities say around 100 children were rescued this week.
- President Trump threatened military action over what he calls persecution of Christians, though Nigerian officials and security experts dispute that Christians are being singled out.
- Security consultant Ryan Cummings says such rhetoric could encourage extremists to target Christian sites to gain attention, resources and recruits, potentially escalating violence.
- A U.S. congressional delegation discussed deeper cooperation, including a joint Nigeria–U.S. task force, as Save the Children reports at least 10 school kidnappings in less than two years.