Causes Of Boko Haram

Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group, has led to destruction throughout the country of Nigeria. According to the following BBC.com article, “Who are Nigeria’s Boko Haram Islamists?,” This Islamist group has induced “havoc in Africa’s most populous country through a wave of bombings, assassinations and abductions” (Chothia). Moreover, “The militant group has bombed schools, churches and mosques; kidnapped women and children; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders alike” (Karimi and Carter, “Boko Haram: A Bloody Insurgency, a Growing Challenge”). The purpose of Boko Haram is to overthrow Nigeria’s Government and create a pure Islamic state. Nigeria is at risk, possibly other countries in the future, if Boko Haram remains strong

According to the CIA.gov, 50% of the Nigeria population are Muslim and 40% and Christian. The Islamic group believes that northern Nigeria is controlled by corrupt, false Muslims (“Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II)”). Therefore, Boko Haram wants to fix this by creating a fully Islamic State in the north while following the Islamic law, Sharia (“Curbing Violence in Nigeria (II)”). A preacher named Mohammed Yusuf established the Boko Haram group in Northern Nigeria nearly 12 years ago with intentions to develop an Islamic state. Prior to 2009, the Nigerian government underestimated the warnings and militant character of Boko Haram (Wikipedia.org). “Boko Haram 's trademark was originally the use of gunmen on motorbikes, killing police, politicians and anyone who criticises it, including clerics from other Muslim traditions and Christian preachers” (Chothia). In 2009, a flood of attacks were carried out by Boko Haram targeting police stations and other government buildings in a Northeast city called Maiduguri (Chothia). “Hundreds of Boko Haram supporters were killed and thousands of residents fled the city” (Chothia). Yusuf was also captured and executed by police during these attacks. Thereafter, Abubakar Shekau took control and a more rebellious and destructive Boko Haram group came about (Karimi and Carter). “Curbing Violence in

Analysts state that Boko Haram “attacks are aimed at striking fear at the heart of the local population to prevent cooperation with the government” (Karimi and Carter). In another BBC.com article, Andrew Walker explains that Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram because their military lacks modern equipment, training, and motivation. Also, the citizens in Nigeria do not trust their military since they cannot restrain the attacks (Walker). “Rights groups have accused local authorities of human rights violations in the fight against the group, adding to the anti-government sentiment” (Karimi and Carter). It was when Boko Haram abducted nearly 300 girls from Chibok, Borno in 2014 that drew the attention internationally. Boko Haram referred women “to the ancient Islamic belief that women captured in conflict are part of the “war booty,” meaning that Boko Haram “would treat them as slaves and marry them off” (Chothia). China, France, Israel, the United Kingdom, and the United States are now involved in helping Nigeria (Walker). However, the help from other countries seems to be limited to searching for the kidnapped girls and not focused on improving Nigeria’s military (Walker). As quoted in “Why Nigeria has not defeated Boko Haram,” James Hall thinks that “Even if they could, the job would be too big” and “It would take years of total engagement, training group after group to have any