Salvation Army outraged by enslavement of Nigerian girls

Monday, 12th May 2014  I  For immediate release

The Salvation Army in South Africa is outraged at the enslavement of more than 200 girls in Nigeria in mid-April, and calls on the South African government to do everything possible to bring them back home to their families.

Major Carin Holmes, PR Secretary for the Southern African Region of The Salvation Army, says that the Church cannot be silent about this forced abduction.
“We deeply feel the desperate pain of the parents of these girls, particularly as it appears as though the Nigerian government is not taking sufficient action to secure their release. This is why we are calling on our own government to use its influence through the various channels it has available to take a lead in securing their release.
“World governments have poured resources into the search for the missing Malaysian aeroplane. They need to match these efforts in the quest to rescue these young women.
“As The Salvation Army, we are working closely with other NGOs across the borders in Africa build awareness of this atrocity, and prevent further abductions. We also call Salvationists throughout the world, and on people of goodwill among all faiths, to unite in prayer for the girls and their families,” she added.

The girls were forcibly taken from their school in northern Nigeria by the extremist Muslim group, Boko Haram.

The New York Times reports that the girls, aged 15 to 18, and of both Christian and Muslim faiths, were at school in order to take their final exams. They were expected to become teachers, doctors and lawyers.

Instead, they are reportedly being sold off for $12 (about R120) each to become “wives” of militants.

Carin A. Holmes
Major
Territorial Public Relations Secretary

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The Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army encompasses four countries – South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland – and the island of St Helena. Its officers, soldiers and full-time employees provide their spiritual and community services through approximately 230 corps (churches), societies and outposts, as well as through schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.

ISSUED BY QUO VADIS COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF THE SALVATION ARMY

Media Contact: Ruth Coggin
Tel: 011-487-0026
Cell: 082-903-5819
Click here to e-mail Ruth
Client Contact: Major Carin Holmes
Public Relations Secretary
Tel: 011-718-6745
Cell: 082-994-4351
Click here to e-mail Carin