#BringBackOurGirls
For all my urban beauties who may not be aware, on the 14 April 2014, over 200 african girls were kidnappaed from their school in Northern Nigeria by militant Islamist group Boko Haram (Boko Haram means "Western education is forbidden") and these terrorists are plotting to sell them as child brides. The kidnapping is part of an organised campaign to close schools in Northern Nigeria.
What i've discovered whilst investigating this devastating incident on the What About My Daughters website is, 40 of the girls escaped on their own with no help from the Nigerian government. The school in Chibok, was hosting final year exams for Christian and Muslim schoolgirls, and was one of the only schools still open in this remote area of Borno state and had no security protection that night.
Also this is not the first time the militant group, Boko Haram has kidnapped or killed;
- In January, French priest Fr Georges Vandenbeusch was freed by Boko Haram after nearly seven weeks in captivity. Again, France denied a ransom was paid.
- In February 2013, Boko Haram also abducted a French family of seven, including four children aged between five and 12, who were visiting a nature park in neighbouring Cameroon. They were later released. and killed.
- The group also attacked a rural boarding school in Yobe in March, Boko Haram killed at least 29 males - but spared the lives of girls
So with all the previous attacks, my question is, what's been done to protect Nigerian citizens and what military efforts are in place?
- The Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan stated "Wherever these girls are, we'll get them out," he said, acknowledging that officials don't know where they are." To read more visit CNN website . Critics of the president says the government has handled the crisis badly, and he should step down rather than run for another term in elections next year.
- On 7 May the Nigerian government announced a $300,000 reward for anyone who knows the where a bouts of these young girls. But is this reward to late?
- On 16 January there were major fractions within the Nigerian military groups, with the heads of the Army, Air Force and Navy, all been fired by president Goodluck Jonathan. Did these fractions create a unique opportunity for Boko Haram to take advantage of? read more on BBC website.
- Outside of Nigeria, The US has offered to send a team of experts, including soldiers and hostage negotiators. The UK says it is prepared to send out SAS and intelligence aircrafts if requested by the Nigerian government
- Since the abduction, rallies all around the world urging the Nigerian Government to do more to find these young girls and return them to their families
Rallies |
- Protest through social media have gained momentum with celebrities, such as Mary J Blige, Genevieve Nnaji, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Timerblake and Sean Penn posting messages on social media and offering their support.
Celebs posting support on Twitter
Nigerian celebrities such as Genevieve Nnaji have posted their support on social media
Super model Joan Smalls shows her support on Twitter
Mary J Blige post her support too
What i also learnt from Faith McDonnell, who is the Institute on Religion and Democracy’s Religious Liberty Director is," for years the Islamists in Sudan abducted Christian women and girls with hardly any protest from the world community." So whats enlightening to know is what the power of social media can bring to devastating events such as this, by allowing the world to stand together and force the Nigerian government to up the levels of resources to find these young girls. Click here to read more
Wow... I can't believe in 2014 we are living in a world where parents are petrified to send their children to school and having to pick safety over education My thoughts and prayers are with the families and girls and i'll keep all my urban beauties updated with any more developments. If you hear of anything else please email me at urbanbeautysaid@gmail.com
xxx
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