BOKO HARAM MENACE IN NIGERIA

I have watched with interest the unfolding events of Boko Haram. Boko Haram is an Islamist group that became a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria in 2009. The name of the group means \"Western\" or \"non-Islamic\" education is a sin. With the high number of deaths recorded so far in Nigeria, many people now see Boko Haram as a terrorist group. The group considers all who do not follow its strict ideology as infidels, whether they are Christian or Muslim.

It is saddening and pathetic that an oil-rich country like Nigeria, the giant of Africa blessed with human and natural resources trying to 'redeem' its international image is struggling to contain a group like Boko Haram. Even the governors in the Northern part of Nigeria seem helpless as Boko Haram members attack and maim people. There seem to be an increase in the number of killings each time there is an attack and the Boko Haram members also keep increasing in number.There is growing concern that Boko Haram is receiving backing from al-Qaeda-linked militants in other countries.

Attacks

30th July 2009- In the state of Yobe, fighters reportedly \"used fuel-laden motorcycles\" and \"bows with poison arrows\" to attack a police station. Allegations were made that Yusuf (founder of Boko Haram) was killed by Nigerian security forces after being taken into custody.

January 2010- The group struck again in the Nigerian state of Borno, killing four people in Dala Alemderi ward in Maiduguri metropolis.

February 2011- Boko Haram gave conditions for peace. The radicals demanded that the Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, should step down from office with immediate effect and also allow members to reclaim their mosque in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.

September 2010- Boko Haram freed over 700 inmates from a prison in Bauchi State.

December 2010- Boko Haram were blamed for a market bombing, following which 92 of its members were arrested by police.At least 32 people were killed in bomb blasts targeting churches on Christmas Eve 2010 in central Plateau state, which straddles Nigeria's mainly Muslim north and the Christian south.

January 2011- A gubernatorial candidate was assassinated, along with his brother and four police officers.

March 2011Police “thwarted a plot to bomb an [ANPP] election rally” in Maiduguri, Borno State. The threat was blamed on Boko Haram.

April 2011- The day before the original date of Nigeria’s legislative elections, suspected Boko Haram members attacked a police station in Bauchi.

April 9- A polling center in Maiduguri was bombed.

April 15- the Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral Commission was bombed, and several people were shot in a separate incident on the same day. Authorities suspected Boko Haram.

April 20- Boko Haram killed a Muslim cleric and ambushed several police officers in Maiduguri. On April 22, Boko Haram freed 14 prisoners during a jailbreak in Yola, Adamawa State.

May 2011- Boko Haram rejected an offer for amnesty made by the governor-elect of Borno state, Kashim Shettima. Boko Haram was blamed for a series of bombings in northern Nigeria on May 29, 2011 that left 15 dead.

June 2011- Boko Haram claimed responsibility for a bombing attack on the police force headquarters in Abuja that occurred the previous day. Officials believed that the attack was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria's history.The Inspector General of police Hafiz Ringim, was the principal target of the June 17 2011 bombing.

July 2012- A suicide bomber detonated himself at a mosque in Maiduguri, after Friday prayers. His target was believed to have been the most senior Muslim leader in Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Umar Garbai El-Kanemi. He narrowly escaped death, but five other worshippers were killed.

February 2013- In neighbouring Cameroon, French nationals were abducted as they were returning from a visit to Waza National Park.

May 2013- In a well-planned attack on 7 May 2013 in Bama, some 70km (44 miles) from Maiduguri, about 200 heavily armed men stormed a military barracks, police station and government buildings.Fifty-five people were killed and 105 prisoners were freed in the raids.

September 2013- Islamist insurgents shot dead at least 40 students who were sleeping in their college dormitory in north-east Nigeria.

December 2013- Boko Haram insurgents attacked a military airbase in north-eastern Nigeria, destroying two helicopters.

April 2014- The leader of Nigerias Boko Haram Islamists Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for a bombing in Nigerias capital that killed at least 75 people, in a video message.

At least 150 people killed during in separate attacks in northwest and northeast regions of Nigeria.

Some 234 girls are missing from the northeast Nigerian school attacked last week by Islamic extremists, significantly more than the 85 reported by education officials.

Action

Why do we have democracy if there is no freedom of speech or worship?

Who exactly are these people parading themselves as Boko Haram members?

When are we going to say enough is enough to Boko Haram and its members?.

Will the world stand by and watch as Boko Haram kill more people in Nigeria?.

These killings by Boko Haram members need to stop and quickly too. We cannot afford to lose more lives.