Watching the CNN video of mothers in Nigeria crying because they have not seen their kidnapped daughters in two years is heartbreaking. Two years ago, the world seemed shocked after news that the Chibok girls were taken from their beds inside of a dormitory spread across every media outlet. The hashtag #BringBackOurGirls was born, and people like Diddy, Alicia Keys and even Michelle Obama spoke out against the violent kidnappings of hundreds of teenage girls. Though a few dozen girls were able to escape, two years later there’s been no sign that the remaining teens were still alive; until today.

CNN obtained footage of the Chibok teens; they are calling this video “proof of life.” Apparently, the video was created as some sort of negotiation video. The video is believed to have been recorded approximately four months ago. Despite protests from around the world to launch efforts to get the girls back, nothing has been done. The question remains – why?

As the world creates fears based from a monster called ISIS, what the world fails to realize is Boko Haram is alarmingly more dangerous a creature than ISIS has ever been, and here’s why:

Fatalities from terrorists groups are at a record high, with mainly two groups claiming responsibility. However, Boko Haram’s does not seem to get the attention that ISIS receives on a daily basis. According to reports:
1) 51 percent of all global fatalities were caused by Boko Haram & Isis.
2) Boko Haram militants kill more people than their Iraqi-Syrian allies
3) Boko Haram jihadists killed more people than their fellow Islamists, claiming 6,644 lives compared to 6,073
4) Nigeria accordingly experienced a staggering 300 percent rise in terrorism deaths in 2014
5) The war between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government has killed 20,000 people in six years [EPA] 6) Boko Haram has caused 2.3 million people to be displaced throughout the region and The United Nations children’s agency says up to one million children have been forced out of school

So the question is why is Boko Haram not treated with the same urgency as ISIS? Why are the horrific kidnappings of teen girls not given the same attention as the kidnapping of American troops? Why are the multiple slayings of school children murdered while attending classes not given the same exigency of terrorists’ attacks in Paris?

There are many answers for these questions; some saying that Nigeria doesn’t have the major media outlets based there similar to the news organizations in America and France. Some say there are no economic/monetary threats to major countries, so powerful nations such as the U.S. are not as concerned as they would be with a threat from ISIS – an organization that could cause more of an economic impact. Of course, many believe – no one cares about these little black girls. Whatever the reason, something has to be done and it will take a world-wide effort to rid Nigeria of the threat of Boko Haram.

Recently, military in Nigeria have been showing signs that their efforts to defeat Boko Haram are working. Nigeria has been claiming victories and have stated were able to destroy some of the militant camps throughout north-eastern Nigeria. Despite these victories, Boko Haram has still been able to successfully hide these teens for two years. Obviously, there is much work to be done within the Nigerian military. In the meantime, thank God that the girls are still known to be alive.

Though we feel helpless as regular Americans, there are various petitions online urging the government to assist in stopping Boko Haram. Check them out here.

Sources
CNN
Aljazeera
RT