Chibok Girls: Proof Of Life
On a slow news day, the spectre of the ISIS linked terrorist network, Jammatu Ahlis Sunnnati Ludawati Wahl Jihad, better known by their moniker, Boko Haram stole the day. In their most distressing video yet that has shocked the world to its core, the inhumane latest proof of life video of Boko Haram has thrown up a lot of issues that need to be addressed.
The nay sayers who never believed in the Chibok abductions have all gone silent as this latest video proves beyond doubt the veracity of this tragic event. Looking dishevelled, tortured and malnourished at least 100 girls provided the backdrop of the masked terrorist who in a 11 minute video began a diatribe of the absurd as once again these innocent girls serve as expendable pawns in this high stakes game of poker with the Government of Nigeria seeking who will blink first.
Boko Haram still has the Chibok Girls and intend to use them as canon fodder to gain the release of captured Lieutenants as elucidated by the Masked Gunman/Spokesman. Making vivid the crass nature of the group, the Gunman claimed at least 40 girls have been married off while an undisclosed number have been killed or maimed by NAF bombardment of The Sambisa Forest.
All the group wants is the release of what they call the G-19, a group of 19 key Boko Haram Terrorists that have been in the custody of the Directorate of Military Intelligence for an upward of 1 to 3 years. And to this end the group announced their negotiating team comprising Journalists and social activists.
Hence after reviewing the video, the following analysis can be made. Firstly the Chibok girls are alive but certainly not well. And they are no more girls but are full grown women who have aged under inhumane captivity and social deprivation. These are even the lucky ones compared to the 40 who are now designated Boko Haram sex slaves cherry picked by the terrorist hierarchy to serve as comfort women at the front lines.
Many Nigerians have daughters in their teens at the peak of their prime including the Presidents, Current President Muhammadu Buhari and Ex-Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Olusegun Obasanjo, hence they should take time to ponder how they will feel if such a fate befell their beautiful children. Such introspection can spur a quick resolution of this stain upon a nation.
As Chibok parents cry and wail over their dishevelled children in the video, those who can't see their children in the latest video are thrown into even more anguish as their children are either dead or are now baby factories producing the spawn of Boko Haram. How disgusting and appalling but this is the honest truth for already the only confirmed Chibok girl rescued was with child when found once again proving Boko Haram is true to its words.
This is the stark reality hence all efforts to secure the release of these girls from captivity must be made before they become spoilt beyond redemption or executed in reprisal for Government aerial bombardment of the terrorist enclaves. The video proves beyond a doubt that elements of Boko Haram who know about the girls where about still exist in the Sambisa Forest. It is indeed an irony that this sprawling expanse of man made vegetation erected to serve as a defense against desert encroachment now serves as a haven for the most despicable vermin on earth, the Boko Haram terrorist network.
The direct mention of the Nigerian Air force Airstrikes on their bases shows the terrorist network has been seriously degraded by these military sorties hence unlike before when Boko Haram videos are headlined by propaganda and defiance, this video toned down on the rhetoric and was more focused on securing respite and a platform for negotiation. Boko Haram is feeling the sting of the NAF Fighter Bombardment hence want to use the Chibok girls as human shields to gain a breathing space.
This shows the campaign of the Chief of Air Staff AVM Sadique Abubakar who promised to rain hell on terrorists from the skies above and the Desert Fox, Lt. General Tukur Burutai mopping up the remnants on the ground is really hitting the terrorist hard and effectively. Boko Harm is now crying uncle and want to distract attention and halt the military campaign. However, the Federal Government is yet to offer an official response to this latest video besides the knee jerk reaction of Nigerian Army declaring the civilian members of the requested intermediaries wanted. One wonders what exactly is the strategy at hand to secure the release of the Chibok girls. This knee jerk reaction of the military appears to criminalise these intermediaries without even awaiting a response from the Presidency.
A premium should be placed on securing the release of the Chibok girls, this should be raised by the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari which has been less than convincing in their tackling of this National tragedy. Although it is difficult to establish a timeline of this latest Boko Haram video but one must assume it is not more than a month's old based on the timing of its release.
Since the military campaign has failed to secure the release of these girls it is time to pursue dialogue in earnest whilst sustaining the military campaign. Many say Governments should not negotiate with terrorists but in reality that is just rhetoric. Giled Shileet the Israeli Soldier was released in exchange for 1000 Hamas terrorists.
The United States released 11 Taliban and Al-Queda Commanders in exchange for 1 captured US soldier. Today Sinn Fein and the Crown, sworn enemies are now in bed together, making a mockery of their once sworn hatred in Northern Ireland. Indeed the ideology of Boko Haram does not call for one to embrace them with open arms but if Cameroon could secure the release of the Deputy Prime Minister's wife and 12 Chinese Nationals kidnapped by this same terrorist organisation then why has Nigeria allowed this saga to continue for so long????
One is left to conclude that the powers that be don't care about the Chibok girls because they are the children of poor nobodies who only occupy space is a dishevelled nation in recession whose parents lack political clout, money and influence. That is the tale of Nigeria where money talks and impunity walks. But in the midst of this God still watches over these innocent girls whose only crime was going to school in a land where a terrorist group says gaining an education is Haram and being born without a silver spoon or white skin is a passport to debasement, neglect and ruin. But there is hope.
Redemption is still possible. The Government should seize this golden opportunity to end this tragic narrative and bring a happy end to this tale. # BringBackOurGirls Now should be their motto. Let these girls be returned to their parents. This saga has gone on for far too long. Parents have known anguish and despair for too long. The time to act is now. Let the stain on a nation be erased finally, once and for all. Usman Mohammed 0706081544 (SMS Only) Lapai-Niger State