The North Eastern part of Nigeria has been at war since 2002 with the rise of the radical Islamist group known as Boko Haram. Several gory and horrible killings and attacks have trailed their reign of terror in the states where they operate, but the straw that seemed to break the camel’s back was the abduction of over 200 girls from their school dormitory in a community called Chibok in Bornu state.
Now the whole world has started paying very close attention to the government of Nigeria, President Goodluck Jonathan as well as the military paraphernalia in the country. Offers of assistance are now pouring in from different countries that erstwhile have been silent on the killings and plight of those living in the North Eastern part of Nigeria, probably because they saw it as a domestic problem caused by some disgruntled unemployed youths as has been the opinion. While this development (offer of assistance) is commendable we should not be distracted from the main issue at hand, the kidnapped girls must be brought back unconditionally!
The federal government should be seen by its citizens as making a concerted effort to ensure the girls are returned to their parents. Enough of the drama, accusations and counter accusation because if it is about that, there is enough blame to go round at least three times! We must not relent in our efforts to secure the North East from these terrorist who are focused on mayhem and wanton destruction of life and properties. At a time like this, it will be a welcome and much appreciated effort if cohesive efforts can be seen from the various military and intelligence bureau in this country; with a spokesperson chosen from the office of the president briefing the nation on developments and steps being taken to free these girls. Enough is enough!
These innocent girls are being used as pawns, bargaining tools in the hands of these radicals; they want to negotiate the freedom of their counterparts with these girls and that is not acceptable! We urge the government to take a firm and decisive stand once and for all on these reprehensible acts and bring it to an end. The offer of help that has been made cannot and will not take away from what an organized search and rescue mission backed with intelligence and proper surveillance can do. We have already spent so much productive man hour discussing the politics of the abduction of these girls, but that must stop! Action is required.
The video released by Boko Haram where the sect leader addressed the Nigerian government and gave conditions of release for the girls is what we expect from our government at this time. Without adequate and proper management of information from the federal level speculations are all what the citizens have and that is unacceptable.
We need a definite and decisive stand from our President. While we commend his efforts so far, we believe that much more can be done and a lot more achieved with all hands on deck!
#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS
