Another brutal attack has struck Nigeria, and once again, young Christians are paying the price. Armed jihadists stormed a Catholic school in Niger state and kidnapped dozens of students, adding to a long list of anti-Christian violence sweeping across the region. These are not isolated events. They are part of a larger, disturbing pattern of religious persecution and government failure.
The latest attack took place at St. Mary’s School in Papiri, a secondary school that serves children from ages 12 to 17. Reports say around 52 children were taken by armed men in the early hours of the morning. Security forces have been deployed, but the damage is already done. Families are left in fear, and children are now in the hands of violent radicals.
Just days earlier, 25 schoolgirls were taken from another school in Kebbi state. And in yet another attack, gunmen stormed a church service in western Nigeria, killing two people and reportedly kidnapping many more. These attackers are targeting Christians—schools, churches, and families—while the Nigerian government fails to bring justice to the victims.
Let us be clear: this is religious persecution. These are not random acts of violence. They are targeted attacks against Christians, carried out by jihadist groups that have terrorized Nigeria for years. They aim to strike fear into believers and drive Christianity out of the region. And yet, the Nigerian government continues to do next to nothing.
Why is this happening again and again? The answer is simple: a lack of justice and a lack of leadership. Nigeria’s security forces are under-equipped and under-funded, while the terrorists seem to have access to endless weapons. Known attackers are not arrested or prosecuted. Corruption runs deep, and innocent people are the ones who suffer.
For years, Christians in Nigeria have cried out for help. But the world has turned a blind eye. Global leaders speak loudly about human rights, yet they stay silent when Christians are being hunted down. These children—some as young as 12—are being stolen from their schools, and still, there is no outrage from the so-called human rights champions.
America must not ignore this. Our Founders believed in defending liberty—not just for ourselves, but as a light to the world. We cannot pretend these attacks don’t concern us. They do. When religious freedom is attacked anywhere, it threatens people of faith everywhere. President Trump understands this truth. That’s why during his first term, he stood strong in defense of persecuted Christians and called out nations like Nigeria for their failures.
Now, with President Trump back in office, we must push for bold action. The United States should cut off foreign aid to Nigeria until it takes real steps to stop these attacks and protect its citizens. We should also use our voice at the United Nations to call out religious persecution wherever it happens. And we must support Christian communities in danger, not with empty words, but with real help.
These kidnapped children are not just numbers. They are sons and daughters. They are students who went to school to learn and ended up in the hands of terrorists. Their lives matter. Their freedom matters. And their faith must not be a death sentence.
Freedom of religion is a God-given right. It is protected in our Constitution, and it should be defended around the world. The longer the world waits to act, the more innocent lives will be lost. It is time for truth, for courage, and for leadership.
Let us pray for these children, for their families, and for justice. And let us demand that our leaders do what is right—not just what is easy.
