Manasvita
Student, Study Hall School

In northern Nigeria, Mohammad Yusuf founded a terrorist group ‘Boko Haram’ with the basic ideology of ‘Salafist Jihadism’ or ‘Islamic Fundamentalism‘. As their name suggests, they disapprove of westernization in Nigeria and want people to follow their diktats. They want Nigerians to follow their interpretation of Islam and their ideology of Jihad. They are infamous for their bombing and assassination of innocent people. They are intolerant to all the other religions except Islam and seek conversions by force. Any view point that questions their ideology is neither accepted nor tolerated. They are known for their cruelty and attacks on women, government officials, Christians and even Muslims. Women education particularly is considered sinful and unislamic. Science and technology is condemned as they believe that it is responsible for westernization of their culture.
On 14th April 2014, this group conducted a massive raid on ‘Chikbok School ‘in the states of Borno and abducted 276 girls. They had kidnapped a number of girls earlier also and some of them managed to escape from their clutches. One of the girls when personally interviewed revealed that they were being used as sex slaves and converted to Muslims. The leader of this group Abubakar Shekau demands the release of imprisoned Boko Haram fighters. Attempts are being made by human rights activist and a team of specialized soldiers from USA and UK to recover the missing girls. The UN officials have warned, the kidnappers can be arrested and persecuted under international law. Freedom and destiny of these abducted girls still depend upon the negotiation between the ‘Boko Haram ‘and the Nigerian government.
Clashes in Nigeria between Jihadists and Christians date back to the post independence era. The raging insurgency and ubiquitous bomb blasts and terrorist activities hunting Nigeria today are a result of different ideologies prevailing in the country. Recently the attacks have been more inhumane and deadlier in their approach. The abduction of nearly 300 girls in last one month has come to the world as a shock. Different forces from all over the world and human right activists are making efforts to bring back these girls. This action by Boko Haram solved dual purpose of increasing the Muslim population and spreading nationwide terrorism .they have continued to operate beyond control of the govt. and security forces. The violent uprisings can be called a result of bad governance and social injustice. The poor, uneducated and unemployed youth with impressionable minds were easily influenced and joined hands with them in the name of “Allah and Jihad”. It is only when the government understands their point of view; it can effectively tackle the situation. However, the Nigerian President’s approach to the problems seems impractical.
This abduction is yet another incidence that shows the helplessness and plight of women throughout the world. The terrorist group couldn’t have chosen a more vulnerable target for this purpose. Overpowering the young women of Nigeria was a very easy task for them. The world talks about women empowerment, equal rights and equal justice…. Is this approach by the Nigerian president acceptable?? Are these actions sufficient?? Are these girls suffering just because they were born as girls?? Where is the justice? Where is equality??… ITS LYING SOMEWHERE IN THOSE THOUSANDS OF NEWSPAPER REPORTS AND DEBATES ON WOMEN… we still need to fight. We still need to stand up for this cause before it’s too late .