Global attention has been focused on Nigeria as that country finds itself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. While much of the country enjoys a peaceful co-existence between Christians and Muslims, the situation is far different in isolated areas in the far north, where Boko Haram are blamed for hundreds of killings, as they target those who display an interest in western education.

With the latest abduction of young girls from their school in the middle of the night, in an area void of any type of security, the world reacted. Well armed outlaws defied the Nigerian government, which came in for international criticism for its lack of action in dealing with a violent group who aim to impose their laws and restrictions on all of Nigeria. For weeks the government was practically silent as Nigerians in large numbers became enraged and made their concerns known around the world.

In this day of instant communication much of the world is aware that the killing of students and abductions has been going on for years, with no sign of weakening in areas so remote one report referred to men armed with bows an arrows attempting to pursue heavily armed extremist as they made off with their daughters. Terrified mothers were forced to take refuge in the bush out of fear of another attack.

Even as the world watched and waited for any news concerning the fate of the girls aged between the ages of 12 and 15, the militants struck again in a small village area leaving over a 100 dead.

The Nigerian government, facing severe criticism from leading nations, appealed for assistance and President Barack Obama, who expressed deep concern, dispatched a team of experts, including a military unit, to the area in a bid to assist. Other countries including Britain, France, and China have also committed resources in an effort to halt what many Nigerians describe as a reign of madness in that part of the country.

Whether international intervention will have any effect on a group determined to turn Nigeria into an Islamist state remains to be seen. There are reports that the Boko Haram militants are so well armed that Nigerian forces are reluctant to take them on. While that is merely a report it could explain why the Government seems hesitant about using their military to hunt down the killers to stop the terror.

There are indeed many troublespots around the world where innocent people die weekly from various forms of violence, such as Ukraine which is bordering on all-out civil war over its status as an independent country from Russia. However, in Africa the abduction of children with a threat to sell them as human slaves ignited world reaction seldom seen in a world accustomed to having terrible events splashed across living room TV screens nightly.

The current tragedy brought back memories of the genocide in Rwanda some years ago, when hundreds were slaughtered with one group calling the other cockroaches that needed to be eliminated. In that wave of terror one man told how he was ordered to kill a man who had raised him as a child, or face death himself. Children witnessed their parents being hacked to death in a killing frenzy that shocked much of the world. Although some of the killers were eventually tried and executed many escaped punishment.

Once again the unthinkable has happened, with much of the world feeling helpless as violence in northern Nigeria continues with people dying simply because they want to educate their children to improve their lives. Nigeria has a serious problem and, while many are ashamed at what has been happening, unless true freedom for all of Nigeria is established there could be many dark days ahead.