Nigeria has always been known for its corrupt government. Most people, however, do not realize that one of the most lethal terrorist organizations in the world has been operating in Nigeria since 2002, with a huge spike in lethality since Abubakar Shekau assumed the leadership role in 2009. It’s no surprise that people who do not have much interest in comparative politics, international relations, or foreign affairs know very little about this group, or even know of them at all. For example, I just wrote a term paper on the terrorist organization and discussed it with my mom, until I brought them up to her, she had no idea who they were.
Recently, Boko Haram has received global media attention after the kidnapping of nearly 300 school girls to be married off or sold. The girls were attending one of the last operating Western schools in the area, and that is why Boko Haram targeted them. So, who is Boko Haram?
Boko Haram was created in 2002 as a group to oppose Western ideology. The term “boko haram” loosely translates to “Western education is forbidden.” After the death of the first leader in 2009, the Nigerian government thought they had defeated the insurgency. What they did not foresee, however, was that a new leader would come to power–and that he’d be even more radical.
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The key event in Boko Haram’s radicalization was after the assassination of the first leader. The Nigerian government had captured a significant amount of people involved in Boko Haram, but in 2010, a strike on the prison freed over 700 inmates, and put the terrorist organization back on the map. Typically, terrorist organizations do not have a predicted lifespan of over one year, Boko Haram, however, has proved itself to be a strong organization unafraid of government threats. The dedication to their cause seemed to grow stronger, while violence increased after Shekau took over.
The group has always opposed the Nigerian government, but attacks in recent years have proved that the group is more ruthless than ever. The article on the Council of Foreign Relations goes into much more detail about the state of Nigeria and the threat from Boko Haram, along with the most recent attacks, but the issue I would like to address is the current threat to the already fragile Nigeria (the article is linked above if you would like to read it for specifics). Nigeria has always had a religious divide. The Muslim North is almost completely separate from the Christian South. Not only that, but the oil-rich Niger Delta is located in the south, bringing more profit to that region of the country, and animosity to the North. Throw in a lethal terrorist group like Boko Haram, who is looking to end Western influence, and the threat to national security is apparent.
As stated before, Nigeria is an extremely corrupt country. With police officers and government officials that are easily bribed, it is no wonder that Boko Haram is still able to thrive. This group does have a leader, but not much of a hierarchy, which should impede the growth of a terrorist group, but it continues to grow stronger. In my opinion, the group is feeding off the already corrupt state and using it to its advantage. Without a true semblance of government structure, it is easier for Boko Haram to conduct attacks and not feel true pressure from the existing government. With that, I also believe that this group will continue to be a large force in the country for years to come. Without a strong government to actually overthrow, this group cannot win. It is almost fighting an enemy that does not exist, so the battle will continue to rage on.
Jessica wagner 