The news on terror is all about the recent attacks which took place in France. That three-day attack killed 12 and injured five at the offices of Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish grocery store. However, the world has ignored the attacks which took place almost during the same time period in Nigeria. The Islamic militant group Boko Haram carried out a multi-day attack which has left an estimated 2,000 people dead.
Boko Haram militants attacked the border town of Baga and 16 surrounding villages slaughtering the defenseless residents. According to Nigerian authorities, the victims were mostly women, children and the elderly who could not run fast enough to get away or hide. Militants roared into the town with rocket propelled grenades and assault rifles and opened fire indiscriminately. Reports from the area have stated there are so many bodies in the towns and surrounding countryside that they had stopped counting the dead.
The attack has been called the worst terrorist attack in the history of Nigeria. Unfortunately, there is every indication that the violence will increase. Presidential elections are slated to occur in five weeks, and the area around Baga is a prime target for Boko Haram because of its proximity to the border of the African nation of Chad. Militants are able to flee to Chad when chased by Nigerian troops who cannot cross over the border.
In 2014, an estimated 10,000 people were killed by Boko Haram militants in Nigeria. The world’s attention turned to the country when 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram in 2014. Despite these facts the mainstream press seems to be ignoring the terror that grips Nigeria.
