Inspired by the global rally held in honour of the victims of last week’s French terrorist attack, social media commentators have expressed their disappointment with the manner the Baga massacre has been downplayed, especially by Nigerian leaders and the media.Those who commented on the issue wondered why millions joined France in the global march in honour of 17 peoplethat were killed in the Charlie Hebdo attacks without showing similar concern for over 2,000 victims of insurgency in Baga, Borno State.Famous Hollywood actress, Angelina Jolie, is one of the notable voices that have called on the global community to be more concerned with the fight against Boko Haram.“Each new crime committed by Boko Haram exceeds the last in brutality. Thisis a direct consequence of the environment of total impunity in which Boko Haram operates,” she said, while calling for action.“Every time they get away with mass murder, rape and the enslavement of women and children, they are emboldened,” the American lamented. She urged the United States and the rest of the international community to offer Nigeria help in order to “collect evidence and bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.”She also joined other concerned persons and groups to carry placards demonstrating their support for global intervention to stop serial bombing in Nigeria.As of Monday, the social media were awash with #BlackLivesMatter and#WeAreAllBaga hashtags, platforms withwhich the online protests were channeled.Jason Pollock, a film maker and entertainer, said it was unfortunate that the 17 French victims of murder received such an overwhelming attention when the 2,000 massacred Nigerians had nobody to speak for them.“While the world stands with France, over 2,000 were murdered in a terrorist attack by Boko Haram in Nigeria. Why is no one talking about this?” Pollock tweeted.
Pollock’s concern was echoed by Sean Jordan, a university instructor; Dr. Suzanne Vierling, a San-Diego-based psychologist; Wendell Pierce, an award-winning film producer; þ Don Beardo Corleone, an American artist and severalothers.David Gergen, a US-based online commentator, wondered what the essence of humanity was if the world could not rally round those who were hurt, irrespective of the colour of their skin.“Why wasn’t anything said about the victims in Nigeria? What about their humanity?” he asked.There were also questions about why international organisations had not given the Baga killings its deserved attention.Jordan said if world leaders were no longer hurt by the pains of disaster victims “except they are of the same race,” there is a cause for worry. “Every new victim you learn about should hurt your heart,” he insisted.Also, David Harewood, London-based celebrity who featured in the Homeland, a television series, said he could not understand why the world kept quiet over the Baga bombing, which required urgent attention.“I wish the world media felt equally outraged by the Baga news too,” Nitin Sawhney, a musician, tweeted after watching the television footage of the French incident.Max Abrahams, a self-acclaimed terrorism analyst, also tweeted, “It is shameful how the 2,000 people killed in Boko Haram’s biggest massacre got almost no media coverage.”Tumi Makwela said the sheer terror inflicted on Baga, much less the numberof casualties, was something the media could not have ignored, supposing they were fair.“As media coverage focused on the Paris terror attacks last week, over 2,000 Nigerians were reported to have been killed by Islamic militants. What makes one massacre more newsworthythan another?” The Guardian of the UK asked in a news report on Monday.But while some have blamed the West for being selective in their support for countries that are facing terrorism, Sophie Eastaugh, a United Kingdom-based freelance journalist, said on twitter that Nigerian politicians were thefirst culprits in the Baga case.She observed that political leaders wereintentionally playing down the insurgency that is ravaging the northernpart of the country because highlightingit could expose their weaknesses, thus reducing their chances of winning the February elections.Shortly after the French attack, President Goodluck Jonathan, who had not made a public statement on the Baga killings, extended his condolencesto France and its president, François Hollande.Jonathan was criticised, especially by the opposition politicians who argued that he could have done that without neglecting the people of Baga who he isconstitutionally bound to defend.The Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also tweeted, “Terrible incident. Our deepest sympathies to thejournalists and their families. We are one with France in mourning#JeSuisCharlie.”

if the Nigerian leaders are less concerned about their citizens why should world leaders bother? just look at the french givernment's response to that attack and tell me why the world will refuse to rally behind them.

okonjo iweala who could't condemn the baga attack was in a hurry to condemn the french one. how stup1d is that.

charity begins at home.

The Coordinating Minister of the Economy/Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, also tweeted, “Terrible incident. Our deepest sympathies to thejournalists and their families. We are one with France in mourning#JeSuisCharlie.”
Imagine that! The same Okonjo who has never deemed it fit to tweet a condolence message to the over 2000 victims of Baga massacre. Even, in all Jonathan campaign rallies, no one minute silence was observed. All in the name of "stay-put-in-power" mentality. Yeah, their weaknesses must be covered during this period that they are looking for votes.

I laugh.

Honestly, it's no big deal the world ignored Baga. They are simply tired of our lies and incompetence. They know everything now.

stillchris:
if the Nigerian leaders are less concerned about their citizens why should world leaders bother? just look at the french givernment's response to that attack and tell me why the world will refuse to rally behind them.

okonjo iweala who could't condemn the baga attack was in a hurry to condemn the french one. how stup1d is that.

charity begins at home.

WE SHOULD UNDERSTAND THAT NAIJA OWN DON TOO MUCH SEF.
How many time do you condemn? Condemn in the morning, afternoon, evening, and even sleep and wakeup midnight to condemn. Unfortunately this has our leaders and world leaders to develop familiar spirit with terror condemnation, pitiable though.

#BringBokoharamToJustice