Boko Haram

A Case Study of Boko Haram

Terrorism is increasingly becoming a scourge and international phenomenon; threatening security as well as the economic conditions of affected regions. These regions face threats of violence from individual elements as well as groups whose aim is to wreak havoc in public using intimidation tactics. Groups involved in terror acts base their actions on political or religious grievances with the intention of airing their grievances albeit through unconventional means. The years after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 saw an upsurge in terrorist activities worldwide[1]. Although terrorism is an attribute of unstable governance, developed countries such as U.S. and France have also suffered much.

The African continent also bore the brunt of rising terrorist activities with countries such as Somalia, Kenya, and recently Nigeria witnessing a rapid rise in terrorist activities. The Nigerian faction named Boko Haram is one of the deadliest, taking advantage of widespread poverty and high levels of unemployment in the country. As a consequence of such issues, the group is one the most significant sources of

[1] Olabanji Akinola, “Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria: Between Islamic Fundamentalism, Politics, and Poverty,” African Security 8, no. 1 (2015):, doi:10.1080/19392206.2015.998539.

domestic terrorism in Nigeria. The study will examine the group’s rise to prominence, providing insight into the group’s background, its objectives, mode of operation, and ways of countering the terrorist organization.

Historical Background

Origin and Ideologies.

According to international organization Genocide Watch, Boko Haram derived their name as a translation to “Western Education is a Crime.”  The movement, formed by hardened terrorist Mohammed Yusuf is an indigenous insurgent group, which vowed to rid the Nigerian education system of Christian schools[1]. Their antipathy towards non-Islamic education also manifested in their attacks on teachers and students. Boko Haram’s initial ideologies also involved local political affiliations. They pursued political changes in Northern Nigeria as they backed religious conservatives through various outreach and microcredit facilities. They also created a model society in Kannama village

[1] Genocide Watch, “The Historical Background of Boko Haram,” Genocide Watch, accessed March 21, 2018, http://genocidewatch.net/2015/02/24/the-historical-background-of-boko-haram/.

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Boko Haram