NIGERIA: Nigerian protesters express their dissatisfaction over the government's progress towards the rescue of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped last month by Boko Haram militants

Record ID: 236747

  • Title: NIGERIA: Nigerian protesters express their dissatisfaction over the government's progress towards the rescue of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped last month by Boko Haram militants
  • Date: 20th May 2014
  • Summary: VARIOUS OF WOMEN PROTESTERS CHANTING "BRING BACK OUR GIRLS'" BANNER READING (English): ''BRING BACK OUR GIRLS'' PROTESTERS LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ANTI-CORRUPTION NETWORK, DINO MELAYE, SAYING: "The federal government is not doing enough, is not planning to do enough, have not shown any indication that they plan to do enough. The body language of the president, the body language of the federal government portray the fact that they are not doing, they are insensitive to the plight of these children." PROTESTER LISTENING SHIRT OF WOMAN WITH INSCRIPTION READING: "#BRINGBACKOURGIRLS ALIVE" (SOUNDBITE) (English) EXECUTIVE SECRETARY, ANTI-CORRUPTION NETWORK, DINO MELAYE, SAYING: "The outcome of the France meeting to me is neither here or there, because domestic issues are tackled domestically. We need the president to carry out massive search and show some level of seriousness domestically before you can begin to go for international meetings for this cause." VARIOUS BILLBOARD SHOWING PRESIDENT JONATHAN GOODLUCK CAR DRIVING PAST
  • Embargoed: 4th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Nigeria
  • Country: Nigeria
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8XA58ZDBUFHYV6WSDSLA5QK7M
  • Story Text: Nigerians gathered in Abuja on Monday (May 19) to protest against the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped last month in the northeastern part of the country by Boko Haram militants.
    One month after the girls were kidnapped, protesters continue to demand for the government to intensify its rescue efforts for the liberation of the girls.
    Protesters expressed their frustration over the rescue operation.

    "The federal government is not doing enough, is not planning to do enough, have not shown any indication that they plan to do enough. The body language of the president, the body language of the federal government portray the fact that they are not doing, they are insensitive to the plight of these children," said Dino Melaye, executive secretary of an anti-corruption network.
    Outrage over the kidnappings has already prompted Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, criticised at home for his government's slow response, to accept U.S., British and French intelligence help in the hunt for the girls.
    West African leaders met in Paris on Saturday (May 17) to try to improve cooperation in their fight against Boko Haram.
    Melaye, however, said Goodluck must first focus on his strategy at home.

    "The outcome of the France meeting to me is neither here or there, because domestic issues are tackled domestically. We need the president to carry out massive search and show some level of seriousness domestically before you can begin to go for international meetings for this cause," he said.
    Along with Nigerian President Jonathan, French President Francois Hollande, British Foreign Minister William Hague and President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy, the meeting was attended by heads of state from Cameroon, Niger, Chad and Benin.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register