This terrorist group jumped to the forefront of the battle against Islamist terrorists in North Africa, when it kidnapped a French family from Cameroon. But who is this group? How did it start? And what role did Nigeria’s faction fighting have in its emergence? Here are 10 facts about Boko Haram.

Who is Boko Haram?

Boko Haram is the name of a large Islamist group fighting in northern Nigeria. Its aim is to establish an independent Islamic state under Sharia law. But this is only partially accurate. The group’s proper name is Jamā'atu Ahlis Sunnah Lādda'awatih wal-Jihad (People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad). ‘Boko Haram’ was a dismissive name given by neighbours of the sect in its early years and means “Western Education Is Forbidden” in the Hausa language; alluding to the group’s hard-line belief that Western ideas, particularly from British colonialism, have turned Muslims away from the virtues of Islam.

How Boko Haram Got Started

The group originally formed in 2002 as a breakaway sect that eventually moved to a rural village, where it planned to run its own Sharia-based society. A conflict over fishing rights there soon involved the police, who were disarmed by the sect. Nigeria’s military cracked down brutally, killing most of the group. The survivors regrouped and started a new Islamic order, which grew thanks to broad unemployment and the charismatic leadership of Mohammed Yusuf.

Boko Haram Takes Its Gloves Off

In 2009 the group became more radical - Yusuf ordered the assassination of a critical local Muslim cleric. Another confrontation with police led to a riot and brutal state crackdown, leaving Yusuf and many followers dead. But the group soon emerged again, this time under the leadership of Yusuf’s right-hand man Abubakar Shekau. The event also saw members make contact with other Islamist groups, who helped train and arm the sect. Their violent retribution was soon blanketed by media and politicians as under Boko Haram

North/South Frictions

The Islamism of Boko Haram is just a part of the story. Nigeria suffers from incredible factional fighting, particularly between the North and South. The North was an Islamic state since the early 19th century - this changed when the British forced the two parts into a single colony during the early 1900s. A major flashpoint is between the northern Islamic Fulani and southern Christian Berom tribes. The Berom have been accused of attacking the Fulani with government assistance, including cannibalism. There were also the Jos riots, centring around a Nigerian city in the middle of the country - this escalated to a conflict between 2001 and 2004 that left over 50,000 people dead. Such events have often been cited by Boko Haram leadership as justification for its own brutal campaigns.

The Role Of Nigeria’s Police And Military

Though Boko Haram has plenty of blood on its hands, many also blame the police and military for adding to the fire. During the 2009 crackdown, the sect’s leader Mohammed Yusuf was dead within hours of his capture - police claim he was shot while escaping, but evidence suggest he was executed. The police and military also executed dozens of people without trial, often on the flimsy accusations of other religious groups which would usually get the slain person’s property as a reward. In other words, it turned into a witch hunt. Both police and military forces have been accused of torture and executions across Nigeria - from Niger Delta militants in the South to Northern sects like Boko Haram. Women and children have not been spared and the guilt of a person is rarely determined. The forces are also known for being very corrupt and police chiefs running their own fiefdoms are not uncommon.

The Role Of Nigeria’s Government

Though Nigeria’s government has cast itself as a hapless victim of Islamic terrorism, it is anything but. Prosecutions of security forces committing murder and torture are practically non-existent. Political opportunism is also quite common: Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, has often accused Boko Haram of being strongly tied to groups such as al-Qaeda, a claim that until recently has been false. He has used this as a means to convince countries such as the U.S. and Britain to send financial aid, downplaying the significant role regional politics have played in forming such factions. Jonathan has also repeatedly accused the power elite in Nigeria’s north of controlling Boko Haram, even though experts agree that this is a complete fabrication. Political rivals have been arrested under flimsy charges that they were tied to the Islamists.

The Crimes Of Boko Haram

Boko Haram, though, is no saintly organisation. Its hard-line views have led to many attacks and executions. The group targets Christians and Muslims alike, though it has a special liking for attacking police and military forces. These attacks have occurred several times a week, if not daily, since 2010. It has also killed children and blown up schools, not to mention medical personnel, religious buildings, sports venues, people playing cards games - the list goes on. The group does not limit its forms of violence either: kidnappings, car bombs, suicide bombers, drive-by shootings and beheadings all form part of its repertoire. But the biggest problem is distinguishing between violence orchestrated by Boko Haram and other factions.

Who Is and Isn’t Boko Haram?

Practically every bombing, gun attack and kidnapping is attributed to Boko Haram by Nigeria’s government. In reality it is not so clear-cut. For example, a foiled plot to bomb a church turned out not to be by the group, but by a rival Christian faction. Likewise, Boko Haram has not claimed responsibility for some kidnappings and events such as the recent execution of polio vaccinators. Criminal gangs have also used Boko Haram to disguise their own illegal activities. Late last year the group Human Rights Watch estimated that nearly 3,000 people have died in this conflict since 2009, yet noted that state security forces were as responsible for executions as Boko Haram. Several splinter Islamist groups have also surfaced, orchestrating attacks that are usually pinned on Boko Haram without any proof.

Going To War With The West

The Islamist sect has largely not targeted Western interests - Boko Haram has been violently active in Nigeria since 2009, but only rose to international attention when it bombed a U.N. building in 2011. Since then its focus on non-Nigerian targets have largely been kidnappings, of which there have been several. Most recently a French family was abducted by the group and in 2011 its fighters captured two British and Italian men - both died when British special forces tried to rescue them. The group has also been linked to the kidnapping or murders of French, German, Chinese and Indian foreigners. But despite claims to the contrary, Boko Haram’s links with other Islamist terror groups only became galvanised when French forces entered Mali. Since then the group has placed a lot more focus on international targets.

A Chance For Peace?

One thing that almost universally agreed on is that there is no chance that Boko Haram and Nigeria’s government will make peace. Setting aside the decades of ill-will felt by the country’s North towards the South, Nigeria’s rulers are not making it easy. In 2012 a cleric mediating talks between the sect and government withdrew, accusing the government of insincerity. Boko Haram, though a singular large group, is also very disparate. Organised into numerous cells, there is no guarantee that what one part of the group agrees to will be supported by the rest. Last year a Boko Haram commander proposed peace talks with the government, but nothing came of this because there was no indication that he spoke for the entire organisation.

http://african.howzit.msn.com/10-facts-about-boko-haram#image=1

very interesting. I hope GEJ will find a lasting solution to this menace. Enough is enough......1st to comment!

Boko haram

Nice writeup

__̅_̅̅_̅̅̅Ω̴̩̩̩̥kα̇̇̇̊γ̲̣̣̥. I will pass this story to my unborn child.

Good. I hope they ask this in my exams nextweek.

boko haram is no longer faceless they are coming out one by one. even elrufia is calling for amnesty for them. we are watching

OK

[size=18pt]Only a military administration can tackle the Boko Haram.

How many times did you hear of Islamic terrorists during the military regimes?[/size]

Thrash, as if we don't no before.
Abegii, tell us new thing jooor.

Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

May almighty save us in this country

johnsluv: Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

Welcome to Nairaland.
Such a lovely and fun place.

You can logout anytime you like.
But you can never leave......

johnsluv: Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

aw does dat stp d elimination of Barcelona frm d champions league.

Boko haram =EVIL

johnsluv: Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

WELCOME..BUT BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY OR SHARE ON THIS FORUM

Just wondering what it takes to silence this menace through the officials who were calling for amnesty for this insane group of persons (Boko Haram). To me, the obvious is clear but I don't know about you guys.

Orikinla: [size=18pt]Only a military administration can tackle the Boko Haram.

How many times did you hear of Islamic terrorists during the military regimes?[/size]

A military regime would use brute force and wouldn't care if civilians are caught in gunfires.

Orikinla: Only a military administration can tackle the Boko Haram.

How many times did you hear of Islamic terrorists during the military regimes?

So, we should substitute Demo-crazy for Mi-litary because of B-Oko Ha-ram

With all this information, hmm.......

johnsluv: Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

You go sabatical leave since you don register since 2010? No dey feel important jo

"Boko Haram, though, is no saintly organisation. Its hard-line views have led to many attacks and executions. The group targets Christians and Muslims alike, though it has a special liking for attacking police and military forces. These attacks have occurred several times a week, if not daily, since 2010. It has also killed children and blown up schools, not to mention medical personnel, religious buildings, sports venues, people playing cards games - the list goes on. The group does not limit its forms of violence either: kidnappings, car bombs, suicide bombers, drive-by shootings and beheadings all form part of its repertoire. But the biggest problem is distinguishing between violence orchestrated by Boko Haram and other factions"......................Muslims n christians alike my foot!!! what is the ratio of christians killed to muslims huh? u said religious buildings? nah,, say CHURCHES cos dem neva bomb mosque B4. say everything bluntly,, DON'T GENERALIZE PLEASE

What is the purpose of this article? Is it to enlighten about the menace or an advocacy for the menace? Or providing justification for the barbaric acts of the fanatics? Whichever it is, my unchanged conclusion will be: "You do not do a moral thing for an immoral reason" and no one can defend or fight for God as God-The Almighty- has the supreme and unimaginable power to defend Himself.

On point.

Those of us here in the south or abroad can sit down, read newspapers and type epistles on nairaland largely spewing the half truths & propaganda we have read & its easy to almost call for the total anihilation of the region since many of us are still under the delusion that the north is solely responsible for the country's problems (forgetting that most of the roads and monuments we see around today -which we the 'southerners' are STRUGGLING to maintain- were built while these 'abokis' were in power).

We forget that there are human beings like us resident in that north.

Talk to those in the North. Then you will understand why boko haram is a national problem which is continuously being mishandled.

I spoke recently with a southerner who is based in the north (a peaceful area tho, apparently) & he told me things . The part about wanton executions of innocent men, women & children by the millitary is VERY true according to him & they still go on till date & that is why the violence keeps increasing. A lot of these things are apparently kept quiet.

These boko guys target anything. They are not concerned with your religion. Their motive is to spread destruction & render that place totally useless. Both muslims & xtians are living under seige from these guys, especially the muslims who also have to contend with the harrassment & sometimes summary execution by the security forces. Lots of innocent people are still locked up in prisons for no reason at all! The people cant move freely, no factories, few businesses, poverty everywhere.

Let us reason: how can someone tell you that he's killing people because he wants them to accept islam?? By the time he kills all the xtians, shey na dead body go accept islam??

I too support millitary action against these guys, but the millitary action must be precise & right on target or else as we've been seeing, the problem will keep getting bigger. You don't kill ordinary civillians on the road & come out to say you killed boko haram members. The boko guys will come and show you that you didn't kill them! You don't imprison innocent people and expect these same innocent people to risk their lives (boko boys will be after them) & come to tell you where the boko guys are. You do not say you are fighting for me & still be fighting against me.

As rightly pointed out, boko haram will have lots of splinter groups that even the leader may have no control over. Eventually, some wil want to dialogue while some will still feel they are doing Allah a favour (which they are not or else xtians, budhists, jews e.t.c will have long since been wiped out).

Allah himself has said in the Qur'an that if He had willed, he would have created us all to have the same religion but He intentionally didnt do so, so that we may strive among ourselves in good deeds & that he may test us based on what was revealed to us (Q5:48).

Allah has also commanded that muslims are supposed to even DEFEND and PROTECT xtians in times of war! All these are contained in the same Quran where people misquote their deadly verses from.

Let us leave religion aside tho & concentrate on the matter.

The Government really needs to use the carrot and stick approach here. Dialogue should NOT be completely ruled out if we are indeed sincere about ending this problem.
The security forces should be called to order & be told to exercise some level of restraint in their ''Shoot first, ask questions later'' approach because it is becoming counter-productive.

Also i think it has become apparent that a lot of violence being perpetrated in the north may have nothing to do with BH. Even the BH guys i suspect will be up for highest bidder.

Our country sent troops to mali, now how secure are our borders? What stops the Mali insurgents from coming into Nigeria? Does the FG even know if Abubakar Shekau is a Nigerian


The BH sponsors GEJ said are in his govt, when is he going to unmask them?

Btw, anyone still saying stuffs like Buhari is behind bokoharam is probably high on soak-away Poo (i hear some people in these war zones get high on it! No kidding), however, everybody can say his /her own, what matters is the truth. Whose responsibility is it to find the truth and reveal it? The Government. Talk about power, roads, food e.t.c., we can share that with the govt, but providing NATIONAL SECURITY? That's like the chief responbility & almost the EXCLUSIVE preserve of the GOVERNMENT.

Orikinla: [size=18pt]Only a military administration can tackle the Boko Haram.

How many times did you hear of Islamic terrorists during the military regimes?[/size]

U mean there were no Religious riots and pogroms during the military regimes? organized ones for that matter

all these things had their roots in those events my guy. if the military stayed long enough, they would have had to deal with them
and it would have be worse than it is now because the insurrection would require a lot more courage and brutality to stand up to the soldiers.

Boko haram, the fearles wicked tiger in human cloth, men that scare men like themselves, Joint tast Force are waiting for you people ....... Show up, even GEJ comes to your state with ordinary sword,

candygosh: Good. I hope they ask this in my exams nextweek.

U can even get past questions on it by downloading free from www.bokoharampstquestions.com.ng.

U are sure of coming out with A's

11) They are a nuisance
12) They are delusional

johnsluv: Am new here....you guys should welcome me!

WELCOME JARI BUT BEWARE OF THE LIKES OF EKO ILE OR BE PREPARED TO RECEIVE ENOUGH INSULTS. ESP. IF U ARE IBO.

Just passing by