Archb. Kaigama: Nigerians will not succumb to Boko Haram

(Vatican Radio) Boko Haram militants in Nigeria have reportedly carried out yet another mass kidnapping of women and children.

Former residents of a Nigerian town recaptured from the extremists say that about 500 children are missing from Damasak in the Northeastern State of Borno in Nigeria. A top Nigerian official has confirmed the news.

Boko Haram caused international outrage in April last year after it abducted more than 200 girls from a school in Chibok town, also in Borno State.

Thousands have been killed since 2009 when Boko Haram began its insurgency to create an Islamic State.

The latest kidnapping comes just days before the people of Nigeria go to the polls to elect a President.

Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of Jos in Plateau State spoke to Vatican Radio about a possible impact of Boko Haram on the upcoming election and about hopes for the future of the nation.

But first he reacts to the latest report regarding the mass kidnapping of women and children saying the horrors perpetrated by the militants go beyond imagination...   

Listen to the interview: 

“It beats our imagination but we continue to hear stories of kidnapping and murder by this terrorist group” says Archbishop Kaigama.

He says he had hopes that by now the situation would have been under control as – he says - the government and the army have made quite good progress and have recaptured many of the areas taken by Boko Haram.

“We were told that things were returning to normal so this is very disturbing news to hear that a very good number of women and children has been taken and some people have been killed” he says.

He points out that the kidnapping comes just a few days before elections and this makes it even more disturbing. 

IMPACT OF BOKO HARAM ON UPCOMING ELECTION

To the question whether he fears that Boko Haram will be able to have an influence on the electoral process, Kaigama says that fortunately Boko Haram is limited to the northeastern part of Nigeria, and specifically to Borno State, Yobe State and part of Adamawa State.

All in all – he says – there are 36 States in Nigeria “which means that even if those States cannot vote for security reasons, the other 32 States of Nigeria can still go on to vote”.

“I believe that the best way is to go on rather than to succumb to the wishes of Boko Haram because they intend to disrupt the situation and create chaos and anarchy and it will be unfortunate if we have to postpone elections or any other thing because of them” he says.

Archbishop Kaigama says he hopes the government will be able to do something positive in these few remaining days before the vote, securing the areas recaptured from Boko Haram and bringing about the release of the people who have been kidnapped.    

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE OF NIGERIA

The Archbishop says the Bishops of Nigeria have always believed that despite all the challenges and unfortunate situations Nigeria will stand.

“We believe in the unity of Nigeria and that hopefully some day we will be telling the very good story of peaceful coexistence” he says.

He points out that Nigeria has a very large population and diverse ethnic, cultural and religious groups so problems can arise.

But he says “Nigerians are optimistic, they are very resilient and they always look forward to a better future. We are suffering and smiling, which means that even when faced with terrible situations Nigerians are still smiling and hoping that someday things will be better”.

The Archbishop says Nigerians are very religious people, so whether they are Christians or Muslims or other, they pray a lot.

“With prayers and faith and also with good work, I believe things will only be better” he says.

Archbishop Kaigama concludes expressing his hope that the upcoming elections “will provide leaders that can actually bring smiles to Nigerians; upgrade their socio-economic conditions; bring about harmony between the North and the South; between Muslims and Christians and create a favorable environment for Nigerians to exist in peace.”