The audacity of the Boko Haram: Background, analysis and emerging trend

Abstract

The last decade in Nigeria has witnessed the resurgence of several Islamic sects seeking political and religious reforms in the country. These groups include, among others, the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, the Boko Haram (Nigerian Taliban), the Kala-Kato , the Darul-islam , the Ahmadiya Movement, the Khadiriyyha, Darika Shi ' a Salafi ya (or Izala), the Tijjaniya , and the Tariqqa group. Of these sects, the activities of the Boko Haram is one that is growing in scale and frequency.This article therefore focuses on the emerging threats posed by the Boko Haram sect. It probes into its historical evolutions, highlights its philosophy and ideologues and analyses its radicalisation into a violent extremist movement. It contends that the sect ' s growing capacity to mount both ' low-scale ' and ' lone ' attacks demands that the Nigerian security forces and perhaps the international community begin to pay more attention to the emerging security challenge posed by this movement, in order to abort its possible transnational terrorist potential. Security Journal (2012) 25, 134 -151.

Seasonal Migration and Settlement around Lake Chad: Strategies for Control of Resources in an Increasingly Drying Lake

“…The Lake Chad region is currently in an atmosphere of unfolding violence by the Boko Haram arm group [39]. This has been the case for the close to six years.…”

Killing People, Dividing a Nation? Analyzing Student Perceptions of the Boko Haram Crisis in Nigeria

“…In this way, the group wants to stress that Boko Haram does not mean "western Education is forbidden" but "western civilization is forbidden" and that it should be replaced by the Islamic culture. 14 The exact number of Boko Haram members is unknown. While Amnesty International carefully estimates that the group has at least 15,000 members, 15 scholars and journalists state that the sect could have over 40,000, 16 280,000, 17 or even 540,000 18 members in Nigeria and neighboring countries such as Niger, Cameroon, and Chad as well as Sudan and Mali.…”

“…40 Boko Haram adds to this debate on the place of religion in governance as it explicitly abhors the secularization and westernization of the government 41 and strives for a strict application of Sharia law as a societal cleanser. 42 Therefore, many have argued that Boko Haram is the manifestation of religious commitment and fundamentalist indoctrination embedded in the contemporary global jihadist utopianism of Al Qaeda, the Taliban, or ISIS. 43 They claim that Boko Haram is principally waging a war against Christians and non-indigenes in the north as well as against the un-Islamic and democratic government in order to end Western influence.…”

“…67 Between 2000 and 2009 Boko Haram launched a series of attacks on nationwide and international targets such as government buildings and the United Nations House in Abuja as well as on more local places such as markets, banks, shopping complexes, and churches. Both public figures and innocent ordinary citizens were besieged, especially non-indigenes and Christians.…”

“…68 The killing of their leader Yusuf in 2009 served as a catalyst for further radicalization resulting in a full-fledge violent campaign to wrest power from the secular government. 69 Since 2009, the death toll has risen yearly, reaching the milestone of at least 20,000 deaths at the end of 2015. Depending on the estimate, 70 the conflict cost the lives of some 4,621 71 or even 6,664 72 people in 2014 alone.…”