When will the West wake up? Nigerian Bishop says only Western powers can defeat Boko Haram and save Christians from genocide

Boko Haram continues war of terror and death

Bishop Oliver Dashe Doeme of Maiduguri, who leads a diocese in north-eastern Nigeria, says that the only way in which Boko Haram -an Islamist terrorist organization operating in northern Nigeria - can be defeated is by intervention from Western powers.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Doeme said that the Nigerian military is unable to combat the powerful group because it is weak from incompetence, corruption and even infiltration of Boko Haram sympathetic soldiers.

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In an interview with a Catholic charity that works on behalf of persecuted Christians, Aid to the Church in Need, Doeme warned that if drastic action did not take place soon, Boko Haram could become a large enough threat that it could destabilize not just Nigeria, but neighboring Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Libya, and such a collapse would leave a large chunk of territory, resources and manpower in the hands of radical Muslims.

"The West should bring in security, land forces to contain and beat back Boko Haram," Doeme said. "A concerted military campaign is needed by the West to crush Boko Haram."

Boko Haram has launched several high profile and deadly attacks in recent months. Just days ago they attacked into Cameroon, capturing 80 prisoners and killing three people in a major trade city. Soldiers managed to fight them off, and eventually 20 of the prisoners were able to escape.

So bad is the situation in West Africa, that Doeme is calling for a repeat of the 2013 campaign in which French and Chad soldiers fought and eliminated several Islamist groups in Mali.

Most importantly, the Nigerian military can not be trusted with rooting out the terrorists.

"Among the soldiers there were sympathizers with Boko Haram," he said. "Some of them were even Boko Haram members, and many of them just ran away."

In just five years Islamic militants have destroyed much of his diocese. More than 50 churches and chapels have been destroyed, and another 200 have been abandoned. More than 1,000 Catholics in his flock have been killed in this new reign of persecution and terror.

Boko Haram militants "point a gun or a knife at" Catholics "saying that if they do not convert they will be killed," he said. "Some of them have been killed for refusing to convert."

"The threat we face presents a very bleak future for the Church. Many of our members are scattered and others have been killed. IN some areas there are no Christians any more."

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Doeme believes that short of military intervention, prayer is the most powerful tool to help those in Nigeria who are affected by the violence.

"The most important thing is to pray for our people," he said. "I know people are praying for us and I am very grateful."

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