Nigerian group threatens to sell kidnapped girls

Nearly 300 girls were kidnapped from a school in Nigeria, leaving family members and friends outraged, and asking the question how could this happen?

They have literally vanished without a trace. Nigerians are demanding the government to do more to find the girls. There are also rumors that the United States is looking to get involved.

What we do know is, the girls have been kidnapped, and the group’s leader that took the girls is reportedly threatening to sell them.

In a video, leader Abubakar Shekau claimed responsibility for the April 15 mass abduction, warning that his group plans to attack more schools and abduct more girls.

He described the girls as “slaves” and said, “By Allah, I will sell them in the marketplace.” The hourlong video starts with fighters lifting automatic rifles and shooting in the air as they chant “Allahu akbar!” or “God is great.”

“I abducted your girls,” said the leader of Boko Haram, which means “Western education is sinful.”

It is unclear whether the video was made before or after the news emerged of the kidnappings.

In the video, Shekau also said the students “will remain slaves with us.” That appears a reference to the ancient jihadi custom of enslaving women captured in a holy war, who then can be used for sex.

“They are slaves and I will sell them because I have the market to sell them,” he said, speaking in the Hausa language of northern Nigeria.

The video was reviewed by The Associated Press, and both the face and the voice of the leader of Boko Haram were recognizable.

Boko Haram also brushed off rumors that it was an international crime.

An intermediary who has said Boko Haram is ready to negotiate ransoms for the girls also said two of the girls have died of snakebite and about 20 are ill. He said Christians among the girls have been forced to convert to Islam. The man, an Islamic scholar, spoke on condition of anonymity because his position is sensitive.

Nigeria’s police have said more than 300 girls were abducted. Of that number, 276 remain in captivity and 53 escaped.

Source: Washington Post