http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29048394
Jake Langton
9/3/14
The article from BBC highlights on the ever-gaining control of Nigeria’s militant Islamist group Boko Haram. The group is traveling around east Nigera, in the Borno state, and taking control of surrounding cities. It is believed that the main target of the group is to attack the capital of Borno, Maiduguri. A successful attack on the city could result in the takeover of the entire Borno state, and possibly of Adamawa, Yobe and the country of Cameroon. The article quotes multiple sources to help build suspense and worry in the reader. A quote from the Nigeria Security Network says that, “Unless swift action is taken, Nigeria could be facing a rapid takeover of a large area of its territory reminiscent of Isis’s lighting advances in Iraq.” Multiple references are made to Isis and how this group is creating similar events in Nigeria as Isis did in Iraq. The UN refugee agency said more than 10,000 people have fled the area to Niger and Cameroon, reported Associated Press. When Banki was invaded by Boko Haram, a source says that government troops fled their posts at once. The capture comes less than a week after the group captured Bama, the second largest town in the Borno state. Boko Haram also tried to enter in Cameroon but were fended off by Cameroon’s army. Nigeria has yet to comment on the loss of these two towns and refuses to admit to losing territorial control. However, the soldiers have said they lack the resources to fight back the insurgents. According to locals in Banki, no one in the town has been harmed, however, most men fled the town when the group entered. Regional foreign ministers have discussed the security threats in the Borno state but nothing has come from such meetings thus far. Although China, France, the UK, and the U.S. have sent military assistance to the region, the battle is still being lost.
It is hard to find a tone from this article since it is written but it seems to be installing fear and worry into the reader. The word lightening is used in two different references and possibly could be used to invoke the thought that the group is moving without trouble and cannot be stopped. The article mostly states facts and gives little opinion of its own, however, the quotes used from the Nigeria Security Network indicate the hopelessness of the country and surrounding area. It seems in stories like this, leaving out any positive input is the way to go. I think the shock factor of the story would keep the reader interested. It is possible that there is no positive news about the story, but I believe if BBC wanted to, they could have found some information that would give the reader hope for the outcome. Stating that the story is similar to Isis in Iraq is great for receiving recognition. With Isis being the hot topic in the news, so it seems, saying that this situation is similar allows the reader to connect closer with the story.