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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:
AnyaKnowIt · 06/05/2014 13:12

BreakingDad77 Tue 06-May-14 12:44:19
I wait expectantly for the Muslim Council of UK to link up with its partners to work to secure their release..........

Isn't that a bit like asking the CoE to stop christian terror groups? Hmm

AugustRose · 06/05/2014 13:24

I noticed it had finally made the front page of the BBC this morning but after 3 weeks it's a bit late, I dread to think what has happened to these girls by now. It's making me sick to think about it.

RabidFairy · 06/05/2014 13:36

I've signed everything I possibly can, but I personally feel so useless. I dread to think what is happening to those poor girls now and what fate is planned for them. I just don't understand the lack of attention to this story or the lack of help being offered. I just don't get it.

AnyaKnowIt · 06/05/2014 13:56

Sky news are reporting that 8 more girls have been kidnapped in the north east.

BreakingDad77 · 06/05/2014 14:47

AnyaKnowIt Well they have helped I think to release non muslims in Iraq/Afghanistan its wether they prepared to grasp this nettle.

claig · 06/05/2014 20:51

It is very strange that there has not been much publicity about this but I don't think it has anything to do with the girls being black. As far as I can understand, the US has offered help but I don't know if the President, Goodluck Jonathan, has accepted it fast enough, although he does seem to have accepted some help now.

"Jonathan has come under mounting pressure over his handling of the crisis, notably the fact that he spoke out publicly for the first time on Sunday and has, U.S. officials say, turned down past U.S. offers of help."

news.yahoo.com/us-scolds-nigeria-over-kidnapped-girls--offers-aid-182126097.html

The timing of the kidnap is at the same time as there is about to be the World Economic Forum held in Nigeria where no less a figure than the Chinese Premier is attending, as part of his tour of Africa.

The kidnap will embarrass Goodluck Jonathan at such an important time and make it look as if he cannot maintain safety, which is not a good sign for international business investors and may possibly frighten Chinese investment off.

I wonder how important China's economic relationship with Nigeria is or is likely to be.

claig · 06/05/2014 20:55

I can see why Goodluck Jonathan wanted to not draw too much publicity to it at such an important time, but it is strange that Western media did not give it much publicity, particularly as it involves Islamic extremists carrying out such a reprehensible act.

giraffescantboogie · 06/05/2014 22:41

I feel sick watching that video. How can you even begin to deal with peope like that?

OneSecret · 06/05/2014 23:10

China's investment in Nigeria is huge

They're currently the money behind the brand new airport / taxi way / carparks currently being dug up at Lagos

Goodluck is ineffectual and only seems to be starting to do anything because of int'l interest... Partly due to world focus because of the conference. Shame on him and the government

claig · 06/05/2014 23:52

Thanks, OneSecret. That is interesting.

I think someone wants to put a spanner in China's investment into Nigeria.

I read that Goodluck Jonathan may stand for election gain next year I think it is. How popular is he in the country and how popular is he with the West?

claig · 07/05/2014 00:00

"Security issues have dominated the run-up to the conference, which Nigeria's government hopes will demonstrate its potential to overseas investors as a place to do business."

www.newsx.com/world/others/item/21147-nigeria-hosts-world-economic-forum-under-tight-security

This will harm Goodluck Jonathans's prospects of re-election, I would guess, unless he can rescue the girls.

BreakingDad77 · 07/05/2014 08:25

China is massively involved in Africa in general as they happy to play the corruption game and don't care about human rights. They import crappy generators when the country is energy secure. Locals believe the black outs are on purpose. Half the country is Muslim and half Christian. Though when working in the north it was obvious to our colleage that some just go along with it so you can bunk off for hours 'on prayers' I was in Kano last year when that bomb went off. It's acomplex place with gangster, tribal feuds, religious violence and political dodgyness too. E.g an MP's house was raided with a small arsenal.

I would wish to see moreaction from the international Islamic block, otherwise this just appears to be christian west sticking it's nose in, needs to be global coordinated effort.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/05/2014 12:54

I would wish to see more action from the international Islamic block, otherwise this just appears to be christian west sticking it's nose in

That's always a problem, of course, especially when we're so often told that western "interference" is unwelcome meddling, mock-colonialism and so on - damned if we do and damned if we don't sort of thing

Of course we all hope to see the girls released safely and it's quite right that help's been offered; however I agree that Nigeria must take the lead in this and then accept the consequences of its actions (or lack of them)

GoshAnneGorilla · 07/05/2014 13:06

The likes of Boko Haraam will absolutely not listen to Muslims from elsewhere, because as far as they're concerned, Muslims who disagree with them aren't proper Muslims.

JessicaMary · 07/05/2014 14:04

China is buying loads of parts of Africa at the moment so yes Chinese influence is very important to them.

When I went twice to speak in Lagos I was picked up from the airport (having had to give a bribe just to get out) accompanied by a car with a machine gun to protect me on the way to my gated compound hotel. Not a particularly safe country at present. The UK has a lot of ties to Nigeria - not lease the system of law and that English is the common language there and I hope we can help with spies/ SAS in finding these girls who are in an area as large as the UK.

sourdrawers · 07/05/2014 14:16

Terrible, terrible situation. I heard the Nigerian gov' have not taken up the offers of military search aid and intelligence aid offered them.

Fideline987654321 · 08/05/2014 06:34

Today Programme are reporting that Boko Haram have killed 100s of villagers in raids in past two days.

JessicaMary · 08/05/2014 07:04

In the last few days Nigeria have accepted a lot of help including from US, UK (SAS as working on it) and France. 11 more were abducted in the last few days.

TereseaGreen · 08/05/2014 08:43

New Yorker Blog post for anyone interested

The blame game is rife. Ineffectual government looking to place blame on the victims rather than address the issues that make this type of crime possible. Heartbreaking stuff.

Original poster
spatchcock · 12/05/2014 15:28

A hundred of the girls appear in a video, here.

The leader of Boko Haram says that he will exchange the girls for prisoners.

OP posts:
meditrina · 12/05/2014 17:44

It's good news I have evidence that many are alive and haven't been sold.

But horrible decisions now for the Nigerian Government. If they agree to the demands, then kidnappings will be seen to bring rewards to the perpetrators (leading to more kidnappings) but leaving he girls to their fate just doesn't bear thinking about either.

giraffescantboogie · 12/05/2014 20:21

:( utter utter bastards

Animation · 18/05/2014 15:31

In the papers there is a close up picture of the girls and it looks like all of them are bleeding and bandaged from their heads! The poor loves what they've been through - just heartbreaking.

It's reported that things have stepped up and 'war' has been declared against these perpetrators. I hope so - it gave me pure revulsion to see atrocity in a photo like that.

Wannabestepfordwife · 01/08/2014 20:58

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2713322/Fears-schoolgirls-kidnapped-Boko-Haram-used-suicide-bombers-ten-year-old-girl-wearing-explosives-rescued-police.html

I really hope this isn't true. Does anyone know what the Nigerian government are doing to get them back or if any other countries have offered assistance