This week, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (pictured) did something his predecessor, Goodluck Jonathan, refused to do: meet with #BringBackOurGirls activists, reports the BBC
After more than 200 girls were kidnapped last April, then-President Jonathan refused to meet with #BringBackOurGirls activists, although he reluctantly accepted to meet with a group of parents of the missing girls and escapees at the prodding of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai three months later.
Incumbent President Buhari, though, once again showed that their is a new order in Nigeria by deciding to meet with the activists, after they marched through the capital (pictured).
As relatives of the missing girls shed tears, Oby Ezekwesili said at the meeting, “The rescue of the Chibok girls would be the strongest statement this government could make for having respect for the sanctity and dignity of every Nigerian life.”
President Buhari reportedly spoke freely at the meeting, criticizing Jonathan and his administration for “incompetence” with both Boko Haram and the missing girls.
He promised attendees that the regional task force, including Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Benin, and Nigeria, of nearly 8,000 troops would be in place by July’s end.
Unfortunately, Boko Haram has been an elusive foe; just last week, they reportedly killed more than 220 civilians with a series of bomb attacks.