ABOUT NIGERIA
Nigeria, with a population exceeding 200 million, stands as Africa’s most populous nation and sixth globally, boasting one of the world’s highest birth rates, averaging five births per woman. Its diverse landscape encompasses over 370 ethnic groups, conversing in approximately 500 regional languages. English serves as the official language, alongside co-official languages including Hausa, Yoruba, Fulani, and Igbo.
Economically, Nigeria holds the title of the largest economy in Africa, characterized by stringent regulations. Remarkably, it ranks second on the continent for oil reserves, predominantly located in the southern region, cementing its position as a leading global exporter, contributing 5% to world production. Despite this economic prowess, Nigeria faces significant challenges, with a GDP per capita of $2,300, among the lowest globally, this could be related to the high level of corruption, largely unchanged over the past 15 years. Environmental concerns loom large, as Nigeria suffers severe deforestation, having lost a staggering 95% of its forest cover.
Additionally, the country contends with heightened terrorist activity, earning it the unfortunate distinction of being the eighth most affected nation globally.
Nigeria’s geographic and cultural divide is evident:
In the north there are mainly Muslims, especially Sunnis of the Maliki school and a significant Shiite minority. It is the poorest area of Nigeria and the most neglected by the government, one of the reasons being that it generates fewer votes than the southern area.
The south is mainly populated by Christians, mostly Protestants, although a quarter are Catholics. It is the richest area, where the oil and the main cities are located.
ABOUT BOKO HARAM
Founded by Mohamed Yusuf in 2002, Boko Haram emerged as religious complexes and schools, similar to the Yan Tatsine sect born two decades earlier. There is no consensus on the translation of ‘Boko Haram,’ with some sources translating it as ‘Western education is a sin’, while others interpret it as ‘pretentiousness is anathema’.
The group consists of two types of members: Liberal political elites or professionals reacting to disenchantment with politics and the country, and Yahdists recruited from among the impoverished with unmet basic needs, seeking fulfillment and personal identity.
Their primary objective is to establish a Caliphate in Nigeria, where Sharia (Islamic law) can be implemented in its most radical form. Boko Haram vehemently opposes Western influence and education, seeing it as conflicting with the teachings of Allah, perpetuating a classic dichotomy between science and religion.
The organization is financed through ransoms, arms, drug trafficking, robberies, and support from other international terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda and Daesh. It continues to increase due to issues related to corruption, social conflicts, and fundamentalist religious ideologies. Recruitment primarily occurs through the Internet and the notoriety generated by the group’s actions and radical videos. Due to its roots in jihadist Salafism, Boko Haram is often challenging to negotiate with. As of now, Boko Haram is estimated to have around 8,000 members, although the organization has experienced internal splits following the death of Abubakar Shekau.
TIMELINE OF BOKO HARAM
Founded in 2002 by Mohamed Yusuf, Boko Haram saw its beginnings with the first attack on Nigerian security forces in 2003. The group gained significant attention in July 2009 when large-scale armed actions erupted, resulting in clashes with police and over 1,000 deaths across five northern states. Following the death of Yusuf at the hands of the army, Abubakar Shekau assumed leadership, adopting a more radical stance. This transition marked the start of a period of intensified terrorist attacks for Boko Haram, lasting from 2009 to 2012. During these years, the group’s tactics evolved unpredictably, resulting in what could be called a civil war.
In 2012, as terrorist activity reached alarming levels, the Nigerian government declared a nationwide state of emergency. Boko Haram continued its expansion, extending abduction practices for various purposes by 2013. The group gained international notoriety in 2014 with the abduction of 274 girls from a school in Chibok. Later that year, in August, Boko Haram declared a caliphate in northeastern Nigeria, capturing cities like Bama whose population is 2,5 million inhabitants.
By March 2015, Abubakar Shekau pledged allegiance to Daesh (a splinter group of Al Qaeda, that controls a large territory between Syria and Iraq), further solidifying Boko Haram’s radical ideology. In response to the escalating threat, Nigeria, alongside neighboring countries (Niger, Cameroon and Chad), formed a military coalition to combat Boko Haram. This concerted effort significantly weakened the group.
One reason for this military deployment was the election faced by then-President Goodluck Jonathan, who, however, ended up losing to former general Muhammadu Buhari, whom he would succeed in 2023, Bola Tinubu.
In 2016, a major split occurred within Boko Haram, leading to conflicts with ISWAP (Islamic State in West Africa Province). The subsequent years saw continued violence and turmoil, culminating in the death of Abubakar Shekau in a May 2021 ISWAP attack. In 2022, Boko Haram perpetrated the deadliest massacre since 2020, killing 76 farmers. Despite setbacks and internal strife, Boko Haram persists in perpetrating terrorist acts and abducting women while continuing its clashes with ISWAP.
EFFECTS PRODUCED BY BOKO HARAM
Boko Haram’s impact has been devastating, with over 16,000 fatalities and 2.5 million people displaced from their homes. The economic structure of northern Nigeria has suffered due to instability, hindering potential investments and exacerbating unemployment and poverty. This insecurity also hampers tourism development, which could otherwise be a significant income source.
Borno State faces an imminent famine due to drought and farmers’ reluctance to return to work the land. Those who escape Boko Haram often face social stigma, especially women, hindering their integration. Despite challenges, Boko Haram retains significant support within the population, leading to familial divisions reminiscent of civil war dynamics. The group’s attacks have ravaged homes and infrastructures in northern Nigeria, necessitating foreign humanitarian aid for reconstruction and refugee assistance.
