Boko Haram and Its Hostages

Boko Haram and Its Hostages

Do you remember that 276 girls were taken by Boko Haram in 2014? This is the terrorist group that has a history of taking hostages. Since 2009 they have operated in Borno State, one of 36 states in Nigeria. They took the girls from their school in Chibok. They also go to some of the other states.

As of today, about 90 girls, now young women, remain with the group. I would guess they are married and have young children.

Most recently there were at least two attacks on these terrorists. They were not there to rescue those from 2014. They were after very recent hijackings.

In one, the 114 Battalion managed to rescue 14 hostages. They were 8 mothers and 6 children in the group. In another, the 82 Battalion followed the hostages and freed 11 people.

Borno State continues to be their major location.

An army person, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, said that the army continues operations against the terror group. I do wish them well but would like to see more serious work against the group.

The brigadier general, Oyama Nwachukwu, said the troops had behaved “gallantly”. Again, I wish he had more to say. I especially believe that he and others would certainly take more definitive action against Boko Haram and finally defeat them.

“More than 100,000 people, including civilians and security personnel, have been killed in the violence-stricken region in the past 14 years,” the release from the press statement says. That is indeed frightening!

Christmas in 2023

Overall, I wish for Nigeria, my home for 24 years, a peaceful existence, but it isn’t coming yet! There are too many problems for the inhabitants.

I may go to Nigeria for Christmas this year. I would even like to go to the village of Nanka, my home for a year, in Anambra State. I would like to stay for a few days. But I will only barely touch the issues that people face. It is sad.