Raptor GM Masai Ujiri speaks out about Nigerian kidnappings

'We all have to stand up,'Toronto Raptors general manager Masai UjirisaidTuesday as he spoke emotionally about the abduction of nearly 300 girls in his home country ofNigeria.

I was sad this is where I grew up, its where I lived, said Ujiri who was born in Zaria in northern Nigeria before emigrating to the U.S. to play basketball and eventually becoming the manager of the Toronto basketball team.

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Suspected Boko Haram gunmen kidnapped eight more girls from a village in northeastern Nigeria overnight, adding to the nearly 300 abducted last month by the Islamist militant group which has since said they plan to sell the girls as "wives."

Ujiri, who still has family in Nigeria, said the matter has to be addressed by the Nigerian authorities or even outside governments.

These are young women and young children, they need opportunity, and its not the opportunity of anything else but life and to be free. They deserve that, and for me to be in this position here if I dont say anything, it would be a disservice to my people and to my country. I have to speak up.

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