Fourteen-year-old Leah Sharibu was kidnapped from her school in northern Nigeria by Islamic militants on February 19, 2018. Eight years later, she remains in captivity because she refuses to renounce her Christian faith.
Sharibu was abducted alongside 104 other girls from the Government Girls Science and Technical School in Yobe State. While most of the hostages have since been released, Sharibu is the only one still held, according to Ryan Brown, CEO of persecution watchdog Open Doors. The organization maintains regular contact with Sharibu's family.
The Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISWAP), which broke off from Boko Haram in 2015, carried out the kidnapping. The group has between 4,000 and 7,000 members and operates in northeastern Nigeria, carrying out bombings, kidnappings, and targeted killings according to American intelligence estimates.
What the Left Is Saying
Human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates have long called for greater international attention to Christian persecution in Nigeria. Supporters argue that the Nigerian government has failed to adequately protect religious minorities and should be held accountable for its inaction.
Open Doors CEO Ryan Brown told The Daily Wire that the Nigerian government has made promises to help secure Sharibu's release but has not provided visible evidence of concrete action. "The family has not been able to see any visible evidence that there's been anything other than promises that were made," Brown said. "That has been a source of confusion and pain."
Proponents of stronger U.S. action say Nigeria's denial of Christian persecution is inaccurate. Brown cited examples of villages where all churches were burned but mosques remained standing, noting that while arrests have been made for violent acts, prosecutions have rarely followed.
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative advocates and Trump administration officials have taken aggressive action on Christian persecution in Nigeria. In November 2025, the Trump administration designated Nigeria as a country of particular concern over Christian persecution. On Christmas Day 2025, President Donald Trump ordered strikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria, calling for terrorists to stop the "slaughtering of Christians."
Brown praised the administration's designation, calling it an important step. Facing increasing U.S. pressure, he noted that militants behind killings of Christians over the summer may face prosecution, which he called "a huge step forward."
The Nigerian government has pushed back against international criticism, insisting it protects all religious communities. In December 2025, Nigeria hired the DCI Group as consultants to communicate its actions protecting Christian communities and to maintain U.S. support in countering West African jihadist groups.
What the Numbers Show
According to Open Doors' World Watch List, Nigeria ranks among the most dangerous countries for Christians. ISWAP maintains between 4,000 and 7,000 active members in northeastern Nigeria and surrounding areas.
The February 2018 kidnapping involved 105 girls from Government Girls Science and Technical School in Yobe State. Sharibu is the sole remaining hostage eight years after the attack.
In December 2025, the DCI Group registered with the Justice Department to assist the Nigerian government in communications work. The firm was paid millions to help improve Nigeria's image regarding Christian protection efforts.
The Bottom Line
Leah Sharibu remains the only hostage from the 2018 mass kidnapping still held by ISWAP, a status directly linked to her refusal to convert from Christianity. Her case has become a symbol of ongoing Christian persecution in Nigeria.
The Trump administration has taken steps to address religious freedom concerns, designating Nigeria as a country of particular concern and ordering military strikes against ISIS targets. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has hired consultants to improve its image with American policymakers.
International observers say they are watching for evidence that Nigeria is taking concrete action to protect religious minorities and hold perpetrators accountable. Sharibu's family continues to advocate for her release while marking what would be her 22nd birthday in captivity.