Tactics Used by the Terrorist Organisation Boko Haram

Abstract

Boko Haram is no regular terrorist organization; although not as widely-known as the Islamic State or Al-Qaeda, Boko Haram has been declared the deadliest terror group of 2014. Fortunately, the organization seems to currently be on the run; and the successes of the Nigerian government in countering it have been founded on a timely understanding of its modus operandi. This paper represents an inventory and an analysis of the main tactics employed by Boko Haram in Nigeria and Cameroon during the spike of its insurgence, between the years 2009-2014. Acknowledging these tactics in a timely manner did not only contribute in a significant manner to the present defeat of Boko Haram, as it may also be of use to governments from other countries in anticipating and efficiently thwarting future terrorist plots.

The “Boko Haram Disaggregation Problem” and Comparative Profiles of Factional Violence: Challenges, Impacts, and Solutions in the Study of Africa’s Deadliest Terror Group(s)

“…Firstly, in its nascent stages, JAS1/ISWAP1 would have had a much easier time gaining access to firearms rather than weapons like bombs or explosives. Furthermore, there are reports that JAS1/ISWAP1 received military training from other terrorist organizations in 2013-2014; 69 this training would have provided Shekau with the knowledge basis for building and employing bombs, particularly once his JAS2 faction split away. Additionally, it is well documented that Shekau's use of suicide bombings was very unpopular among his Shura Council and the group's leadership.…”

Amenaza terrorista de Boko Haram, el rol de las Naciones Unidas en el conflicto armado en Nigeria

“…De acuerdo con el Institute for Economics and Peace (citado por Pricopi, 2016), en el año 2014 Boko Haram perpetró 9 de los 20 ataques terroristas más fatales alrededor del mundo, con un promedio de 14 muertes por cada uno. De igual manera, en ese mismo año la organización generó el 80% de las muertes por terrorismo en Nigeria, lo que significó un aumento del 300% en asesinatos de este tipo, la mayor cifra registrada por encima de cualquier país durante ese periodo.…”