Nigeria declares security emergency amid wave of mass kidnappings
Schoolchildren and Christian worshippers targeted in Nigeria kidnappings (photo: Getty Images)
Nigeria has declared a security emergency following a wave of mass kidnappings of schoolchildren and Christian worshippers, which forced authorities to temporarily close several schools, President Bola Tinubu said, Bloomberg reports.
According to him, security agencies have been authorized to recruit thousands of additional personnel, and nomadic herders have been ordered to surrender illegal weapons. Tinubu also instructed the security services to deploy additional units "to flush out the terrorists and bandits" out of forested areas.
"There will be no more hiding places for agents of evil," the president of Nigeria emphasized.
Kidnappings in Nigeria
Over the past two weeks, nearly 400 people have been abducted in the country, including primary and secondary school students. The wave of attacks forced Tinubu to cancel his trip to the G-20 summit in South Africa and an African Union event in Angola. Although some hostages have been released, more than 250 students and teachers are still being held by militants after the attack on a Catholic school on November 22.
The situation has escalated amid criticism of the president from both the country's citizens and US President Donald Trump. The American leader accused the Nigerian authorities of failing to ensure security and made strong statements about targeted attacks on Christians.
Tinubu, in turn, urged herder associations to abandon open grazing and surrender illegal weapons, noting that the government has created a dedicated Ministry of Livestock to address their issues.
"Ranching is now the path forward for sustainable livestock farming and national harmony," he emphasized.
The president of Nigeria also appealed to the National Assembly, proposing revisions to legislation that would allow states to create their own local police units. Nigeria's centralized police system has long been criticized for failing to deal with widespread crime and terrorism.
Situation in Nigeria
In early November, Donald Trump stated that due to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, the United States might carry out a military intervention in the country. He said that if this happens, the attack would be swift and brutal.
A day earlier, the American leader said that Christianity in Nigeria is under threat. For this reason, the United States considers it a "country of particular concern."
According to his post, 3,100 Christians have been killed in Nigeria, and urgent action is needed.
Nigeria, for its part, rejected the possibility of any unilateral US military operation on its territory following Trump's threats over the alleged persecution of Christians in the country.
Daniel Bwala, a representative of Nigeria's president, stated that Trump's threat is based on false claims and appears to be an attempt at pressure.
Christians in Nigeria face one of the most extensive waves of persecution in the world. According to the European Parliament, between 2019 and 2023, nearly 17,000 Christians were killed in targeted attacks, and in 2025, more than 7,000 lost their lives in the first seven months alone.
