Kidnappings move residents to rally

LYNN – Local Nigerian-Americans hope to amplify world outrage over schoolgirl kidnappings in their African homeland by helping to organize a Saturday morning rally in Boston.The April 15 abduction of more than 300 girls by Boko Haram – described by President Obama in an interview as “…one of the worst regional or local terrorist organizations?” – has left Pat Abbe and other Lynn-area Nigerians worried and angry.”As a mother I tell myself, ?That could be my child,'” she said.Abbe and other area residents representing Nigerian community organizations met locally on Wednesday to plan the Saturday rally. They hope a cross section of people concerned about the kidnappings attend the “bring back the Nigerian girls” rally scheduled for 10 a.m. on Beacon Street in front of the State House.”We’re hoping, praying and calling on all well-meaning people to join us,” said Dickson Iyawe.Abbe said Boko Haram, the organization identified in a Wednesday Associated Press story and other reports as responsible for the kidnappings, has been terrorizing northern Nigeria for nine years. Iyawe said Boko Haram recently stepped up attacks conducted in public locations.”A lot of people are calling on the Nigerian government to act,” he said.Abbe, Iyawe and Boston Street shop owner Omo Idusuyi have lived in the United States for 24 years or more, and all three hold leadership roles in area organizations concerned with Nigerian affairs, including humanitarian aid.Iyawe said the United States and Nigeria should be partners against Boko Haram.”I think U.S. drone (pilotless aircraft) technology should be used to get to these criminals,” he said, adding, “If possible, we could have boots on the ground.”Obama, in an ABC News interview quoted by the Associated Press, said Boko Haram “…has been killing people ruthlessly for many years?” and said the United States has “…already been seeking greater cooperation with the Nigerians.”Abbe said a call for U.S. involvement in Nigeria cannot be equated with American reluctance to get involved in war-torn Syria.”The emotion behind this is quite different than Syria,” she said.Bob Fioccoprile, who described himself on Wednesday as an adviser to the Nigerian International Humanitarian Foundation of New England, said a political decision is the best course of action for dealing with Boko Haram.He urged Idusuyi and her fellow Nigerians to find ways to communicate Nigerian-American outrage against Boko Haram to U.S. elected officials, humanitarian organizations and even the United Nations. Idusuyi is the foundation’s executive director. She said the foundation focuses on helping needy children.Iyawe said Nigerians have a decades-long history of coming to the United States to earn college degrees and have remained in the country. He said anger over Boko Haram could spur more Nigerian involvement in American politics if the U.S. government takes a hands-off posture on the kidnappings.”We can influence,” he said.