200 missing Nigerian schoolgirls

[spatchcock]

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.

I think about them a lot, too, and keep looking at my girls and thinking how fortunate their lives will be, with easy access to education etc. Without wanting to sound sanctimonious, we have to remember that so many women and girls struggle to have the most basic of rights.

bump

I find it shocking that the left-wing press in the UK is more upset about Jeremy Clarkson mumbling a nasty word than about 200 schoolgirls being abducted and enslaved by a fascistic group of religious nutters. Why is this? Is it because the enslaved girls are black? Because we aren't allowed to 'judge' Muslim extremists? Because it's happening in forrin? I don't know but I think it's disgraceful. If the world can help look for one missing plane they can help track down 200 girls who have been enslaved for having the temerity to want an education.

I quite agree O

I have recently read the autobiography of Jeremy Vine.
And he has interesting chapters on what makes the news.

Generally speaking, the items that make news can get there becuase, in no particular order
a. there are pictures, especially dramatic ones [think what happened at the weekend involving a circus act in the USA with girls attached to something or other]
b. things happen where reporters all ready happen to be
c. human interest [think fluffy bunnies, whales stranded, planes going down]
d. which leads to ratings
e. celebs. [see c. and d., which includes JC]
f. cant remember if he said budgets or not
g. political agendas

Cant remember the rest. But you get the gist.

Quite frankly, the people of the UK and elsewhere can get their knickers in a twist over the wrong priorities, and a lot of them dont even realise this.

We knew it was them a anyway, but Boko Harem had r just confirmed it was them who stole the girls

bbc link

Dammit please excuse typos. Stupid phone.

Still on lockdown out here. Nothing major in papers out here again other than security for the Abuja conference

Its main headline news on sky

News.sky.com

Bloody hell I'd not even heard of it! And I agree, were they white I would have

I really hope there's a successful rescue attempt. Awful situation.

I have just spoken to my dad in Nigeria, he says the families of the girls have being interviewed, a mother had two of her daughters taken away. The military are hesitant, thinks they are scared.The situation is unbelievable.

First item on the BBC 10 O'Clock news tonight

Good. Maybe people will start paying attention now. Quite a few people posting on FB about it, too.

If there's enough coverage it might be enough to pressurise Jonathan to actually do something.

What a horrific video, that man is positively gloating.

An awful situation. Nigeria really needs to sort this out.

Yes that grin on his face is infuriating. Despicable man. I hope the military catches up with him quick smart.

So pleased it's finally mainstream national news, shame it's taken 2+ weeks to get it there though

Women and girls count for nothing in so many countries. Makes me wonder what it would take for this country to go back to that sort of state of affairs.

I really hope these poor girls are found, and soon.

It's one of the worst things I've heard on the news in ages. I can't stop thinking about those poor girls and wondering what I can do. So often it seems as if the world is going backwards in terms of women's right.

I despair, I really do.

It's (finally) getting more attention. There is a long piece on BBC Breakfast this morning.

And more of the world might sit up and take notice now that Obama has included it in a speech and the leader of Boko Haram has said he will sell e girls.

It's been three weeks.

I have just read on the BBC that Nigeria are deploying 5,000 troops to police the World Economic Forum, happening on Wednesday. Umm perhaps they can use these troops to start properly looking for these girls. Glad that the US are talking about it now, but they're still making it clear Nigeria must lead.

So, Nigeria must lead. And if I were them, I'd start using some of these 5,000 troops. I'd love to know who is attending the WEF, anyone from UK? If so, don't think I'd take my seat at that table until I was happy with the action taking place?

news.sky.com/story/1256037/nigeria-schoolgirl-kidnap-britain-offers-help

UK and the US have offered help

I'd expect people to attend WEF. Lots of chances to buttonhole people in the margins and really ratchet up the pressure.

Also, I wouldn't assume that troops suitable for guarding duties are necessarily those you would want to deploy on an intelligence-led rescue mission. Even if not all the kit shown in the background of that revolting video is functional, it could still be a major operation to go after them (if they can be found, and of course finding them might not be the same as finding all or some of the girls as it is possible they are already over a border).

I wait expectantly for the Muslim Council of UK to link up with its partners to work to secure their release..........

Me, too, Breaking.
We may be here for some time

I just feel so infuriated and helpless about this.