How Foreign Observers See Abduction of Hundreds of Chibok Girls by Boko Haram

Since the day of abduction of almost 300 female students from their dormitories in Chibok town, Borno State, by the Boko Haram terrorist sect, foreign media have been covering the event and tracing all related developments. The story is being widely discussed in the world.

We have collected various opinions from a number of foreign forums and commentary sections to better understand how the situation is perceived by people in the rest of the globe.

Almost everyone seems to be outraged by Boko Haram's actions and demand justice:

Many observers discuss whether the religious affiliation of the sect members has prompted them to turn to violence.

Some of the observers wonder why Boko Haram's atrocities have not prompted reaction from prominent Muslim clerics.

Apart from the usual "blame game" of adepts of various religions (with some blaming Islam as being the source of violence, and some defending their Muslim brethren by proving that Boko Haram's violence has nothing to do with Islam), the Internet commenters make other interesting observations.

Many blame the development on cultural and historic peculiarities of the African continent on the whole and in Nigerian mentality in particular.

Also, people around the world wonder why there is little to no action from Nigerian men and hold Nigerian government responsible for the insecurity within the country.

Africa was doing much better when it was run by the Europeans, one user notes. The Africans kill 100 times more Africans than the Europeans did. Just in Rwanda [Tanzania], almost a million Africans were murdered by their black brothers! [The Rwandan Genocide was a genocidal mass slaughter of Tutsi and moderate Hutu in Rwanda by members of the Hutu majority some of whom occupied top government positions. 500,000–1,000,000 Rwandans were killed from April 7, 1994 to mid-July, constituting as much as 20% of the country's total population and 70% of the Tutsi then living in Rwanda].

Another commenter agrees: Human sacrifices, slavery (inbound, [it's a fact] that one could be slave of another tribe), extermination of twins considered evil children, tribal wars... Africa was doing way better due to their traditions, and Europeans and Arabs (remember, it's not just white colonialism!) shouldn't disturb tribes self-determination.

If that were true, maybe they'd have a reasonable civilization, the third one says. But they don't. The entire history of Africa can be summed into one word: Tribalism. And it wasn't one tribe. I knew an African quite well in grad school. He was Amhara from Ethiopia. He taught me to blame it all on tribalism.

Nigerian citizens must stop doing wrong things, yet another commenter says, specially voodoo, satanic rituals because everywhere Satan is ruling, there is bloodshed. Nigerians love money more than [any other] human beings. They can kill anyone for money and their women prostitute themselves all around the world for money while their men sell drugs and [traffic] human body parts, make human sacrifices, always for money. God is punishing these cruel people. Nigerians are the most wicked people in the whole African continent.

Some also suggest to dig deeper in history: Blame the British colonial masters! 100 years ago this year, they amalgamated the Muslim North and the Christian South into the beast called Nigeria, a name suggested by lord Lugard's (colonial master's) girlfriend, while they were making out in bed! Isn't such a country 'SCREWED' on arrival?

South Africa is not interested in doing more than sending thoughts and prayers to the kidnapped girls. Other African countries have yet to even pay lip service to the idea of the girls returning to their families, one user says. The countries of Africa are run by people who hate the rest of the world and want to be in charge of their own countries when things are going well. But they can't take responsibility when anything goes wrong. They just sit back and wait for other countries to step in and sort out the problems. Then they complain about the lousy white man who came to rescue them, once he has gone. Gratitude you will never get from an African. Just resentment that you didn't give him more.

Why aren't the Nigerian men outraged? an observer wonders. Don't they care about their daughters? Are the women the only ones who have courage and integrity? Where are the mother's of these terrorists? They should be talking to their sons and telling them to stop this lunacy.

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The U.S., China, United Kingdom, Israel and other countries have pledged their support in locating and rescuing the girls. Some observers have taken to the Internet to support the idea of international agencies helping Nigerian authorities to cope with current situation:

However, not all international observers agree that their countries (and international organizations) should assist Nigerian government.

It is worth noting that in August 2013, military have announced they mortally wounded Abubakar Shekau, the sect's leader. Although he keeps "appearing" in the sect's videos, many Nigerians and people around the world believe him to be dead. Recently, the SSS spokesperson alleged Shekau has died and is being impersonated in the latest videos. Also, many suspect there was no kidnapping at all, or it was staged by the Nigerian government. 

To further promote the idea of Shekau being dead and the sect's willingness to dialogue with the authorities, some pay attention to the fact that Boko Haram have been inconsistent in their statements. Indeed, in one video, Shekau threatens to sell the girls. Yet in another, the girls are interviewed and say they were not harmed.

It has been a month since hundreds of the girls have been held in Boko Haram captivity. The sect has so far issued two video addresses, claiming responsibility for the act in the first one and showing at least some of the girls in the second. In the second video, sect's leader Abubakar Shekau also says the girls could be swapped for the imprisoned Boko Haram terrorists. Initially, the Nigerian government, represented by Interior Minister Aba Moro, rejected the offer. Later, however, the authorities admitted they are viewing all options and are open to negotiations.

Some other observers make exactly the same point: I don't know who are more lame: the Malaysians or Nigerians. In any decent country, these Boko Harm bozos would have been hunted down quickly. They have over 200 captive girls; how far can they go? As strange as it may sound, I bet the government is part of the abduction. Nigeria is one of the most corrupt countries in the world.

Another user asks: You expect me to believe that the Nigerian armed forces cannot protect a few of their own villages against some pickup trucks, motorcycles and a small number of extremists with RPGs [rocket propelled grenade launchers]?

Some point out, [The Nigerian authorities] have refused to listen to the Christians who are the main victims of the Jihad. They listed to Northern Muslims who said it was not a Jihad and it was not an Islamic terrorist organization, that it was a struggle for economic rights. And because they listened to the Northern Muslims, they have been more focused on criticizing and undermining the President instead of giving him the tools to fight Boko Haram.

Others agree: The US Administration was effectively helping Boko Haram by undermining the Christian-led Administration of Jonathan. Northern Muslim politicians promised to make the country ungovernable if the Southern Christian won the elections. They are using Boko Haram to do it. And the US State department decided to help them achieve their goal by attacking the Jonathan Administration instead of Boko Haram. For years they have refused to help the Administration combat Boko Haram and when the administration attacks the terrorists they accuse the administration of human rights violations. The American Administration does not get it. Eventually, the US will install an Islamist as President in Nigeria because of their poor understanding of the region, unless that is what they plan to do. After all, the US allied with the Taliban in Afghanistan when they were fighting the Soviets.

It is disgraceful that these girls are captured! one user exclaims, but is quick to point out: Can Africa or Europe spill some blood to free them, or are they waiting for the US to act, only to stab us on the back with ingratitude once we act?

It is a SHAME to the United Nations and the world that it is HELPLESS and PASSIVE to the sufferings of innocent people/women who are made  sex-slaves by such evil and murderous TERRORISTS like Boko Haram! another user says. It is time for the EU/US and the United Nations to wake up and play a  pro-active role to bust worldwide Islamic terrorism. And not just empty talk and High Protocol/feastings at UN HQ!

Well, do something about it. Save your own damn girls, one user fumes. Why not get your own "Holy Men" to go talk to the Boko Haram and tell them to release them? I'm sure the government knows where to find them. You have a relatively small country. The US do not care. Yet, I'm sure you'd like us to come and take care of the issue for you, since your own government and military apparently are in on it, why else the inaction? You NEED our help, we don't NEED yours. The only reason our government is willing to help is for public relations, and your government doesn't care, that much is obvious. And after we kill all of those guys, your country is still going to hate us, because that is the way you are. History has proven that.

A Nigerian has this to say to these claims: Nigeria's oil is basically almost owned by America. American companies like Chevron along with out corrupt government have exploited Nigeria's oil wealth. We now "buy" OUR OWN oil from you. Yes it might be our fault (and by our, I mean the rubbish government), but don't go saying nothing about how America's never benefited from Nigeria. Because the way I see it, we got the short end of the stick. Nigerians living in Nigeria hardly even benefit anymore from job opportunities that are supposed to come with these companies as they prefer to bring in expatriates than hire citizens. I know. I'm Nigerian. And I am from the state that produces most if not all of Nigeria's oil.

It's not the responsibility of the UN to bring these girls home, another user argues. Nigerian troops have the military to might to get the job done. There is no question about that. They should get the job done or be thrown out of office. If the people were armed than it wouldn't be a problem because Boko Haram would have some competition - but they are intentionally left helpless and defenseless. Whether or not the Nigerian troops think these 200 girls are worth saving is up to Nigeria. Not the UN, not the US.

Why should we send troops? a commenter observes. This isn't our circus. We have no monkeys in this circus. This is a Muslim problem and Qatar, the UAE and Saudi are loaded with money. Let the Muslims deal with their own.

About 2,600 people die every day here in the US. Why are we screaming for 300 girls in Africa? Because we think we should? a commenter from the U.S. asks rhetorically. No troops, no action as we have no money for it. There are a lot of nations right there to take care of this. Why can't Nigeria bring back their own girls? If they can't do this then they suck as a country, and their problems are far worse than a few hundred kidnapped girls. What about North Korea and the children born in slave camps over there? Shall we bring them back and set them free, too? #FreeNorthKoreanSlaves

There is no proof of ANY girls or women being "kidnapped", a user alleges. Shame on Arab "leaders" for not coming out to openly challenge the claims of Nigerian govt and military and even families of these "kidnapped" women to at least a lie detector test. Most Muslims in Nigeria don't even believe there was any kidnapping to begin with, this was made up by Nigerian military and govt with cooperation of CIA and other nations. Shame on Muslim puppet "rulers" for not coming out to challenge this hoax story, filthy puppets its Muslims who are being vilified for no other reason than US govt's furthering their goals in Africa on our expense.

First, they say they were married off, one user says. Then, they say they were sold off now they say Boko Haram wants to swap them for their own prisoners. Shekau is not even alive, he died some time ago. Nigerian military is staging these events. Only Americans are blind enough not to see this nonsense.

Nigerians allowed this, one commenter asserts. When you allow people of no pedigree to rule you, you get this kind of thing. Nigerian leadership probably is the worst in the world: extremely incompetent, endemically corrupt, and hopelessly visionless. Has anyone listened to their president [President Goodluck Jonathan] talk? How on Earth do such persons become president of a country?

I guess the 625 million we send Nigeria each year is used to furnish the Presidential palace, one user says. I bet if we cut off aid and put Nigeria on the sanctions list we would see these boys put down quickly. Nigerians take part in the international conversation, too, by supporting this point: Our President's office's annual 'food budget' alone, purportedly at N1 billion ($6.2 million) is far more than Obama stands to earn from his official salary if he was to remain in office for the next 15 years. We clearly haven't grasped the concept of 'priorities' in that country just yet. It's a crying shame.

One user makes an observation: Nigeria initially rejected outside help in finding the girls. They would not have allowed U.S. troops and drones to enter their country. There is no justification for violating sovereignty unless American lives are at stake. He gets a reply: Nigeria rejected outside help because they are complicit in this crime committed against the most vulnerable of its own citizens. The more impartial foreign parties are allowed to contradict the "official" narrative, the sooner Nigerian government involvement will be exposed.

Some suggest that Nigerian authorities have a hand in the crimes: There is no way almost 300 girls are kidnapped in one incident without any casualties suffered in their defense unless local or federal government officials had prior knowledge of it, participated in it or profited from it.

I agree that without complicity Boko Haram wouldn't have made it this far, another user says and then wonders: Why would the government allow such suffering? What would they gain in having their poorest civilians terrorized? What commodity lies within that region through which one could benefit? Does this region lie within a drug trafficking route or is it simply as they claim, their hatred for Western ideology? Who supplies Boko with its money and weaponry?

Source: Legit.ng