The recent attacks by the Islamic militant group Boko Haram are finally starting to get the coverage it deserves in mainstream media. The tragedy has been called by Amnesty International the worst massacre in the history of Nigeria and Boko Haram. The events that unfolded in the town of Baga led to the deaths of at least 2,000 people who were mostly women, children and the elderly. However, the world’s attention was focused on the terror attack in France that claimed 12 lives.
Despite the group’s Islamic propaganda, the fact is Boko Haram has nothing to do with Islam. The men in the organization are motivated by personal power and oil. Nigeria is an oil-rich country that boasts an estimated daily production of 2.5 million barrels a day, making Nigeria the sixth largest producer of petroleum in the world. Because of the instability of the government and corruption, it is estimated that as much as 10 percent of daily oil production is stolen. This stolen oil is then sold on the open market and distributed internationally. This is one of the sources of income for Boko Haram and its campaign of terror.
The insurgents have been able to control large portions of Nigeria as the military remains unable or ineffective in stopping Boko Haram. In early 2014, the international community seemed to finally be focused on the terror organization, when it engaged in mass kidnappings of young girls and women. The #Bringbackourgirls went viral and there was hope that the girls would be rescued. As the furor died down, it became apparent that the world had forgotten the girls and they were reportedly sold as war brides and slaves. The modern African slave trade is growing and is just as vile as ever. There are an increasing number of children being sent to Muslim countries — both African and Arab — as slaves, and Boko Haram is involved in this human trafficking.
Boko Haram and Nigeria represent an international crisis that must come before the United Nations Security Council before the violence spins further out of control. The West does not want to sacrifice White lives for African. But are we as a people ready to see former colonial oppressors shooting down Africans?
