News
One Girl Still Held After Eight Years of Islamic Captivity
Faith Facts
- Leah Sharibu, kidnapped at age 14 by Islamic extremists in 2018, remains the only captive still held from the abduction of 110 Nigerian schoolgirls
- International pressure is mounting on Nigerian officials to combat radical jihadist groups persecuting Christian women and girls
- The young Christian girl has now spent eight years in captivity after refusing to renounce her faith
Eight years have passed since Islamic extremists stormed a girls’ school in Nigeria’s Yobe state and kidnapped 110 students on February 19, 2018. Among those taken was 14-year-old Leah Sharibu, a Christian girl whose unwavering faith would set her apart from her classmates. Today, she remains the sole captive still held by her jihadist kidnappers.
While 109 of the abducted girls have been released or escaped over the years, Leah’s continued captivity has become a symbol of the brutal persecution Christians face in northern Nigeria. Reports indicate she refused to renounce her Christian faith in exchange for freedom, a decision that has kept her in the hands of Islamic extremists for nearly a decade.
The prolonged captivity of this young Christian woman has drawn international condemnation and increased pressure on Nigerian government officials. Human rights advocates and Christian organizations worldwide are demanding action against the radical jihadist groups that continue to target women and girls, particularly those of Christian faith, in the region.
Nigeria’s northern states have become increasingly dangerous for Christians, with militant Islamic groups like Boko Haram and its offshoot, the Islamic State West Africa Province, conducting systematic campaigns of terror. These extremist organizations have made the abduction, forced conversion, and enslavement of Christian girls a central part of their brutal strategy.
The international community has intensified calls for the Nigerian government to prioritize the rescue of Leah Sharibu and to take stronger action against the jihadist networks operating within its borders. Global leaders and faith-based organizations continue to highlight the failure to secure her release as evidence of inadequate protection for religious minorities in the country.
The case has also drawn attention to the broader pattern of religious persecution in Nigeria, where thousands of Christians have been killed in recent years and entire communities have been displaced by Islamic militant violence. Many advocates argue that the international response has been insufficient given the scale and severity of the crisis.
For Leah’s family and supporters around the world, each passing year deepens their anguish and strengthens their resolve to see her returned home. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the cost of faithfulness and the ongoing threat that radical Islam poses to religious freedom and human dignity in Nigeria and beyond.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Scripture teaches believers to submit to governing authorities as established by God for the good of society (Romans 13:1).
- Christian teaching calls for peaceful conduct and respect for lawful order even when disagreements arise.
- Faithful citizens are encouraged to pray for leaders and seek justice through orderly, lawful means.
Delhi Police detained the founder and two senior leaders of a youth protest movement aboard their plane Saturday, Oct. 10, as authorities shut dozens of metro stations, canceled more than 250 trains and deployed tens of thousands of officers to keep protesters away from the capital’s designated protest ground.
The decisive steps came amid a dispute over voter rolls that had prompted the group to call for large demonstrations in India’s capital.
By grounding flights, restricting rail travel and closing key transit points, officials signaled their determination to prevent disruptions in the heart of the nation.
Christian and conservative observers note that stable governance and the rule of law remain foundational to protecting families, communities and the freedoms that allow faith to flourish.
Supporters of the measures argue that safeguarding public safety and preventing unrest serve the common good.
Critics maintain the actions limit citizens’ ability to voice concerns over electoral integrity.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Faith Facts
- Grand Canyon University is a private Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona.
- The university is establishing a new law school that integrates legal training with a Christian worldview.
- Phoenix attorney James L. Williams has been named the founding dean of the law school.
Grand Canyon University is advancing plans to open a law school that will train future attorneys in both legal excellence and a biblical foundation. The Phoenix-based Christian institution announced the appointment of local attorney James L. Williams as the school’s first dean.
The decision reflects a growing desire among Christian families and leaders for legal education that upholds traditional values rather than progressive ideologies. Williams will guide the development of curriculum and faculty that prioritize truth, integrity, and religious liberty.
“The university is moving ahead with a law school that it says will combine legal training with a Christian worldview.”
Supporters see this as a timely response to cultural shifts in the legal profession, where many institutions have distanced themselves from biblical morality. GCU’s initiative aims to equip students to defend constitutional freedoms and religious rights in the courtroom.
“The university named Phoenix attorney James L. Williams as the school’s first dean, according to a press release from GCU on Oct. 8.”
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Faith Facts
- Pope Leo XIV will undergo surgery to remove a small lung nodule detected early by doctors
- The pontiff shared the news with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, October 11
- The early-stage finding reflects the importance of timely medical care and gratitude for God’s provision
Pope Leo XIV announced Sunday that he will undergo surgery in the coming days to remove a small nodule found in his lung. He told pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square that doctors had caught the condition early.
The pontiff’s openness about his health underscores the value of transparency and trust in medical professionals when facing illness. Many faithful around the world are lifting prayers for his swift recovery and continued strength in leading the Church.
“It had been caught early.”
Believers see this moment as a reminder to cherish life and seek wisdom in all health decisions. The early detection offers hope that treatment will be effective and that Pope Leo XIV may soon return to his pastoral duties with renewed vigor.
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