Over the past several weeks, there has been a lot of media focus on the deadly terrorist attacks in France that killed 12 people. Rallying cries such as “Je Suis Charlie” filled mainstream media as world leaders around the world showed solidarity by rallying in the Paris streets. And while the world joined together in defense of one terrorist act, another went seemingly ignored. At the same time in Nigeria, a separate crisis was unfolding as Boko Haram had committed its deadliest attack to date in what appears to be a pattern of increasing violence. The attack left an estimated 2,000 people dead and received far less global attention. The lackluster response raised the question: Why was the world ignoring Boko Haram’s attacks?
What’s even more troubling is the power Boko Haram holds in Northeast Nigeria (the Nigerian state of Borno). Deemed as an official terrorist organization by the United States, Boko Haram has continuously terrorized Nigeria over the past six years. The attack on Baga that left 2,000 dead shows the amount of control they hold in Nigeria. They aren’t just terrorists; they are creating their own radicalized Islamic State.
There wasn’t just a lack of Western response; there was also a lack of an African response. Nigerian soldiers once again fled the scene as soon as Boko Haram arrived at Baga, allowing for the massacre to take place. There was little response from Nigeria’s politicians. Nigerian president Goodluck Jonathan expressed condolences for the victims in France, but did not mention the devastating terror attack in his own country. Even back in April when there was some media coverage regarding Boko Haram kidnapping close to 300 teenage girls, little action was actually taken.
It seems as if Western lives are valued much more in these terror attacks, which does not paint the whole picture of the situation. Much attention was given to the French terror attacks and hostages held by ISIS over the past couple of months. And while that attention is well placed, far less coverage was given to the countless dead at the hands of Boko Haram and the dozens of Syrians and Iraqis that die every day fighting ISIS.
Clearly, the more we ignore the injustices in Nigeria, the more the situation will worsen. Nigeria’s own government is taking little action and it is apparent that some intervention is needed before more people tragically die. In the end a life is a life and no matter if it occurs in a developing world country or France: attention must be given to it.
Written by Tristan Rhee’17
