In a recent segment for Worcester News Tonight, Munya Munochiveyi, assistant professor of history at the College of the Holy Cross, offered his insight on the recent kidnapping of more than 200 girls in Nigeria. Specializing in African social and economic history, Munochiveyi commented on the recently founded Islamist group, Boko Haram, saying they have been around for 12 years and are well armed, leaving the Nigerian government uneasy about acting. Boko Haram has stipulated that the release of the girls, abducted from a school roughly four weeks ago, will only happen in exchange for ransom and the release of their members being held prisoners throughout Nigeria. Telling of the severity of the situation, “the news [of the abduction] actually did not shock many Nigerians,” says Munochiveyi.
“This is probably the first time that Boko Haram has engaged in mass abductions of people. Previous, they have abducted maybe foreigners or politicians in exchange for ransom,” Munochiveyi continued. “I think the Nigerian government is now recognizing that they need international support.”
This is a “Holy Cross in the News” item by Evangelia Stefanakos ’14.
