Nigeria is grappling with heightened insecurity as a wave of abductions—particularly in the northeast—coincides with rising diplomatic tension following U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of a “Christian genocide” and his threats of military intervention. The situation intensified on Monday when residents of a Borno community fled after 13 teenage girls were kidnapped by ISWAP militants while working on nearby farmland.

In response to escalating threats, the Federal Government has ordered the shutdown of schools across several northeastern states, citing the urgent need to protect students and teachers. At the same time, Nigeria announced that the U.S. has agreed to deepen security cooperation through enhanced intelligence sharing, defense equipment, and targeted counterterrorism support.

These developments have sparked renewed debate over the best strategies to confront terrorism and strengthen national security. Security analyst Damilar Ebeniza stresses that while international backing is valuable, sustainable progress will depend on strengthening local capacity and improving community-level early-warning systems.