It took headlines about nearly 300 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls for the U.S. to offer that country help in fighting the Boko Haram terrorists responsible.

As it is, the United States provided just a few aircraft to search for the girls.

But Boko Haram has been terrorizing Nigerians for several years. The group is among the most vicious of all Islamic militant organizations.

One favored Boko Haram tactic is to surround a place of worship – of any faith – where opposition to the group has been heard. Then, the building is set afire and all inside – men, women and children – are incinerated.

No one knows whether the kidnapped girls can be rescued. But once the hunt for them is concluded, one way or another, the U.S. and other nations should help Nigerians in wiping Boko Haram out.