Several people have heard in one form or another about the three days in Paris from Jan. 7 to Jan. 9 that ended 17 lives and brought many Europeans and world leaders together to march in solidarity against Islamic terrorism. What remains overshadowed by the coverage of Charlie Hebdo, however, could turn out to be a much larger threat to the Western front than the fleeting assault on freedom of expression in Paris.
In the same span of time as the Paris attack, thousands of Nigerians were subjected to the sudden brutality of Boko Haram, an African radical jihadist faction that has been significantly advancing as a religious extremist group. After burning down the villages around the market town of Baga and isolating it from outside help, Boko Haram staged an attack that ended at least 150 lives, with 2,000 people still missing from the fray.
While it’s true that the Nigerian government and military failed to protect civilians in the northeastern area, it appears that Nigeria otherwise will not be receiving any aid from the West against Boko Haram, which futuristically speaking will leave the world’s fifth largest oil supplier endangered and up for terrorist grabs.
And just last April, when over 200 schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram from the town of Chibok, global shock was spread widely across news networks and social media, but after a month or so of hashtagging, the #BringBackOurGirls campaign was abandoned and with it came the resignation of families who had lost both their daughters and international support.
Of course, Europe has a multitude of its own problems regarding Islamic terrorism and the wave of anti-Muslim crusades coming forth, but the United States has less on its agenda. With no direct threat from ISIS or al-Qaeda riding on its shoulders and deployable ground troops and air forces hovering over Iraq and Syria, America should be giving the continent of Africa another look.
Why does it seem like Boko Haram, the African equivalent of the Middle East’s ISIS, remains less of a perceived problem than its barbaric counterparts?
Likely, it is the contrast between the Islamic State and Boko Haram’s way of making headlines, with the former fueling public outrage through internet-released executions and the latter floating under the radar of peacemaking superpowers. However, the international community continues to deny the fact that Boko Haram is evolving and has become one of the most lethal terrorist groups in the world. If it manages to outlast the African communities it preys upon, there is no telling how many more borders they will cross for the sake of a distorted religion.
Ultimately, the Nigerian government is intent on covering up homegrown Islamic terrorism and has forsaken its people. If countries like the United States let nations like Nigeria endure the problem alone, would Americans not look like the biggest hypocrites in the world for letting the basic human rights of others be trampled upon?
Apathy has always been a dangerous practice amongst people, but in the near future, it will surely lead us to self-induced calamity. It’s time America utilized its wealth and status for people desperately in need of protection.