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Original poster

200 missing Nigerian schoolgirls

101 replies

spatchcock · 28/04/2014 03:30

This is such a desperately sad story. The world has turned out to search for the Malaysia Airlines plane and remove bodies from the Sewol ferry (as is right, of course) but these girls are presumably still alive and no one seems to give a shit.

Thoughts? I fear there is little hope for these poor girls. Nigeria is an utter shambles and the army can't even protect the people. Sorry if there's already a thread on this, I couldn't find one.

OP posts:
ClubName · 02/05/2014 13:53

I think there has been a fair bit of coverage of this actually - lots on R4 anyway.

Interesting that even on MN where presumably it would be a subject close to the heart, there have been only 26 posts since Monday (Unless there's another thread, in which case I apologise!)

Very sad. I can't begin to imagine what happened or what the families are going through. Presumably these are girls from affluent Nigerian families? Not that it should make a difference but in practise, normally, that would mean more action was taken quickly?

AnandaTimeIn · 02/05/2014 14:06

Awful, just awful...

They, ve all been raped by now... AngrySad

Read an article yesterday on The Guardian site which mentioned the Gordon Brown initiative (gone up in my estimation for that) and talking of forest people mentioning "mass marriage ceremonies"... Sad

Nigeria is such a mess (as is Mali where we travelled not long before the shit hit the fan).

Monty27 · 02/05/2014 14:14

I just heard about this today! Appalling. And as many people are saying, if this happened to 200 white girls it would have had much different coverage.

I've shared one of the pages from Kateemo's link on my facebook asking people to spread this story around the world. It might mean someone takes some action to rescue these girls and bring them home to their families. :(

Original poster
spatchcock · 03/05/2014 00:42

One news story I read today puts the count at 274.

I was also surprised that there was no other thread on MN. Although I actually think this is gaining a bit of momentum now with the social media campaign. The USA has offered help but it seems to be in the 'discussion' phase.

There's a change petition here: www.change.org/petitions/over-200-girls-are-missing-in-nigeria-please-help-find-them-bringbackourgirls

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giraffesCantBoogie · 03/05/2014 01:02

:(

NickNackNooToYou · 03/05/2014 03:53

I saw this on BBC News today, I couldn't quite believe it was 2 weeks ago. 200 girls missing is mind boggling Sad

It is quite strange the priority of news reporting/head lines.

OneSecret · 03/05/2014 12:41

I'm in Nigeria right now. Got 5 national newspapers in front of me. Nothing on the headlines. There's a small article buried on page 4.

Which does make me think maybe the government is working behind the scenes and not releasing too much information for security reasons
That and the threat levels to hotels and expats out here has just shot up in the last 48 hours. We're all in a state of virtual lockdown

imustbepatient · 03/05/2014 13:23

Thanks very much for the link to the change petition. I've signed.

GoshAnneGorilla · 03/05/2014 13:31

OneSecret - very interesting. I hope something is sorted soon.

AugustRose · 03/05/2014 14:41

I really hope it does mean that something is happening, it's worrying that so little is appearing in the media though. I do think if it was anywhere else their would have been much more coverage.

nicename · 03/05/2014 15:10

The headteacher is now saying that is was closer to 300 taken. She wasn't there at the time and is saying that some local politicians are denying it happened. I guess that's why we aren't hearing all that much about it. In the 'name of religion', my big fat backside.

SauceForTheGander · 03/05/2014 21:47

A friend went to the protest at the Nigerian embassy today. Stella Cressy was there but no other MP. C4 news were there but no one from BBC / ITV etc.

More protests planned. Facebook campaign including taking selfies with number of days girls have been missing (19 today).

#bringbackourgirls

Sad
Original poster
spatchcock · 04/05/2014 00:45

OneSecret thanks for your insight.

That headteacher was asked to confirm (by the government) that all the students had been recovered! She refused, thank goodness. That must be quite a brave act I think?

SauceForTheGander that's a shame there was so little coverage. Bless Stella Creasy though, I am not surprised she turned up.

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OneSecret · 04/05/2014 09:02

The news out in Nigeria today is more focused on an world economic forum that's happening in Abuja (capital) on 7th May. Apparently Gordon Brown's flying in as an envoy. Maybe he could arrange a talk with those that matter out here, if there's enough UK backing behind him?

Sad

Still on lockdown here ...... Sad

OneSecret · 04/05/2014 09:04

And goodness, bravery points for the head teacher! Cannot begin to imagine the pressure the government must have put on her to lie Sad

Rainicorn · 04/05/2014 09:09

Such an awful thing to happen.

I am not that shocked about there not being much news coverage. There bloody well should be though.

They must be so frightened.

OneSecret · 04/05/2014 09:12

the sun

the tribune

vanguard

Interestingly, this morning, in one newspaper the independant the First Lady of Nigeria has pledged to help, and stated that unless Boko Haram release the girls then the women of Nigeria will march. It's a good gesture, but again, it's not nearly enough, especially when sadly it's "only" coming from the First Lady, not president Goodluck

AugustRose · 04/05/2014 11:06

I think the last line from the Vanguard article says it all.

"If the world can search for a missing Malaysian (airliner), why cant the president ask them to help look for these children?"

I am stunned that their goverment would ask the headteacher to lie, how can these girls mean so little.

namechangenumber5 · 04/05/2014 11:15

I think of these poor kids everyday, their parents, the horror of it all. It's sickening, disgraceful and shameful behaviour on the part of the kidnappers and the government who seemed so immediately resigned to the situation. What a heartbreaking damned thing.

AmeliaToppingLovesShopping · 04/05/2014 11:26

Robbie Williams has done a really good video about human trafficking in places like Nigeria. I know he isn't very popular but it is very moving.

I will see if I can find it.

AmeliaToppingLovesShopping · 04/05/2014 11:28

m.youtube.com/watch?v=ayg8NriNEdU

Hopefully that will work.

giraffescantboogie · 04/05/2014 13:23

on news just now thank god. But still no news? :(

Original poster
spatchcock · 04/05/2014 15:08

Moving piece in the NY Times today.

www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/opinion/sunday/kristof-bring-back-our-girls.html?fb_source=timeline&ref=profile#=

These girls, ages 15 to 18 and Christians and Muslims alike, knew the risks of seeking an education, and schools in the area had closed in March for fear of terror attacks. But this school had reopened so that the girls — the stars of their families and villages — could take their final exams. They were expected to move on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers.

According to story, John Kerry (US Secretary of State) is in Africa 'pushing' the Nigerian government on this issue. He said: “not just an act of terrorism. It’s a massive human trafficking moment and grotesque.”

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OneSecret · 04/05/2014 17:03

The telegraph reports that the army are preparing for a rescue attempt... Not sure how much I believe that though, seems it would be in their best interests to keep such an attempt quiet...

More inclined to believe the Nigerian government are just putting that story out to appease other world leaders in the week before the big economic conference Sad

telegraph story

SauceForTheGander · 04/05/2014 23:48

I think about the girls every day. There's another protest on 9th May but I'm not sure I could get to London / juggle 3 DCs. I'm thinking about it - we need the numbers.

If you're on twitter you can follow @bringbackourgirls and there's a UK Facebook page to like .

They just wanted to be educated.