The kidnapping echoed the abduction of the Chibok girls 11 years ago and came as U.S. officials pressed the country to address violence against Christians.

The rapper Nicki Minaj wrote on X that she is “so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude.”

Nigeria will not play at the 2026 World Cup after they lost on penalties to DR Congo in a play-off in Rabat. The two teams could not be separated after 120 minutes of action with Frank Onyeka and Meschak Elia scoring the goals in the first half of normal time.