Boko Haram in Nigeria: Origins Objectives and Complex Factors - Paper Example

Introduction

In the past few decades, Sub-Saharan Africa has experienced several cases of terrorism, especially in the Horn of Africa, including Somalia Kenya, and West African countries, namely, Chad, Cameroon, and Nigeria. One of the leading terrorist groups operating in the West African region is Boko Haram, a term used to say that "Western education is wicked." The group propagates its ideologies through terrible acts of violence and the use of ruthless and lethal means to achieve its goals and objectives. Its activities have led to a security dilemma in Nigeria, which has meant the displacement and death of many people. There is a need to devise viable approaches to address the Boko Haram dilemma in Nigeria.

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Research Methodology

This chapter utilizes historical research and qualitative analysis as its methodology. The historical research assists in offering verifications and explanations in the area of human activity, seeking to uncover the various social, political, and theological phenomena that might have sanctioned the rise of Boko Haram, which dates back more than a decade. Historical research documents occurrences that led to the emergence of Boko Haram (Flippin 1923, 49-54). On a similar note, the chapter will provide answers to many questions - especially those related to solutions for combatting the terrorism menace in the region. Notably, there will be a need to record the government's achievements and failures in tackling extremism.

Historical research allows the admission of data that cannot be collected through other means. It also aids in studying past events and pieces of evidence. Another key strength is that using historical research is crucial in analyzing trends presented by Boko Haram in Nigeria (ibid). This type of study may be subject to questions of internal validity and biases in interpretation. Historical research, however, lacks control over the external variables. The primary reason for choosing this method is to understand the human culture, based on the incidence of Boko Haram ideologies in mainstream society.

Most importantly, historical research will be critical to providing an account of the aspirations and successes of Boko Haram in the realization of its objectives (ibid). Historical analysis, aiming to predict future activities will be based on extrapolation of data from the past. Another reason for choosing historical research is as a tool to explore, document, evaluate, and interpret occurrences of the past, aiming to discover indications that assist in understanding the history, the present, and prediction of the future, and searching for solutions to the violence (Tan 2015, 1-5).

A Brief Description of Boko Haram

Boko Haram is a West African militant group whose principal reason is institutionalizing Sharia or Islamic Law in the region. Boko Haram operates from vulnerable geographical areas in Nigeria, accordingly, Kaduna, Borno, Bauchi, Kana, and Yobe (Okereke 2014). The origin of Boko Haram is traced back to the 1990s when the group commenced organizing itself under the cleric Mohammed Yusuf. In 2003, the group conducted its first attack on police stations in Yobe state, followed by a full-fledged uprising in 2003 (Jaana et al. 2014). In 2009, it spread into various northern areas of Yobe, Kano, and Borno. It is worth noting that the actions of Boko Haram were nonviolent during its formation, but evolved gradually to implement violent attacks.

Theological Underpinnings

Boko Haram's theological underpinnings are solely founded on jihadism principles and the propagation of a Salafi perspective relative to Islamic law in general and, more so, its penal code. Such principles seek to ensure strict adherence to Wahhabism, an ideology that perceives other Islamic forms as idolatrous. On several occasions, the group has referred to itself as Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, which implies individuals who endeavor to propagate the teachings of the prophet and practice jihad, despite its violent leadings (Stewart et al. 2002). Boko Haram’s central aim is the establishment of the Islamic State in Nigeria and further opposes the continuity of Western education and values. Boko Haram has continually caused the state of unrest in several states in Nigeria (Akpan et al. 2014). In the most recent attacks, the group targeted Christians and their churches to cleanse the Nigerian states of outlier ideologies and end satanic practices. In essence, Boko Haram is designed to continue jihadism.

Boko Haram has continually expanded and executed assaults, despite the government’s efforts to contain its activities and growth. It is reported that the group has killed over 20,000 people since its inception; hence, being ranked as one of the deadliest groups in the world after ISIS (Adeoti and Adeyeri 2012, 36-41). Several factors underpin the intense nature and resilience of Boko Haram, including financial, operational, and intellectual support, the inadequacy of a legal framework nationally; and political and economic instability.

During the formation of Boko Haram and currently, the pattern was to recruit youths from various social sectors, such as artisans, madrasas, and school dropouts, in an effort to create a fighter class (Agbiboa and Maiangwa 2014, 63-97). Ultimately, the group became highly radicalized under Abubakar Shekau through programs of weapons and explosives training, aided by other radical groups, including Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Al Shabaab (Toland and Yoong 2011). This support enabled the group to gain momentum and to begin advancing its Salafist agendas in the region. At present, Boko Haram continues to have access to funding accumulated from various sources, especially daily remittances from the loyalists that Yusuf had empowered with capital for commercial startups in motorcycles, shoe shining, and other small businesses. Several organizations that are registered as charities outside Nigeria have been identified as sources of financial support (ibid).

The group has relied continuously on social elites to provide support and recruit youths into terror. Initially, Boko Haram relied on gullible individuals for its operation. However, its present operation transcends the use of misguided and innocent teens to the use of intellectuals, such as lecturers (Aghiboa 2014). For instance, Dr. Mohammed Yunus, a Kogi State University lecturer, was recently charged with participation in the radicalization and recruitment of youths into the Nigerian-based terrorist group (Adeoti and Adeyeri 2012, 36-41). Fighters from other regions have joined the resultant militancy, thus providing experienced fighters and access to weaponry from various places.

Boko Haram has benefited from the lack of adequate legal tools to address terrorism. That is one of the main factors that contributes to the group’s resilience. The inadequate legal framework has led to the dismissal of terrorism charges for people linked to terrorism in the region. However, in 2011, the Nigerian government enacted a robust TPA (Terrorism Prevention Act) to assist in addressing the gaps (Nwosu 2011). To advance the inter-agency counterterrorism undertaking, the Terrorism Prevention Act (TPA) confers coordinating agencies with more authority and defines the precise counterterrorism roles of responsible bodies. The Act authorizes police to arrest and arraign accused terrorists. Besides, it delineates exact procedures for magistrates to follow when deciding on the penalty for heinous crimes of terrorism.

In most cases, Boko Haram has exploited advantages that arise from the porous northern border. Having one of the most substantial extended boundaries of about 4900 km (3047.719 miles), some areas in the northern part remain under-patrolled, making it easy for the militant group to carry out its activities (Smith 2015). Also, there has been a lack of military cooperation between Nigeria and Cameroon, subsequently facilitating crossovers between the nations. Eliminating Boko Haram units from the two countries is solely dependent upon military collaboration.

Contributing Factors to the Rise of Boko Haram and Its Lethal Nature

Many factors underpin the rise of Boko Haram in Northern Nigeria. Some of these factors are attributable to economic and social challenges, ethnic and religious strife, and political tensions. Complicit are economic and social factors that cause high rates of unemployment and poverty in the region. Security studies in the West African area have revealed that people deprived of economic opportunities resort to terrorist activities to express their grievances (Iyi and Strydrom 2018). According to Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima, poverty is a central reason that drags at the Northern Nigerian community. Unemployment drives youths to join radical groups to provide sustenance, thereby enhancing the terrorist group's workforce. Despite efforts by the Nigerian military to reduce Boko Haram militants, youths have continually joined terrorist groups at an alarming rate (Grote and Roder 2012). Further, cooperation with the communities is reported to be among the main reasons why the groups are more lethal than any other group. Several studies have reported that large salaries enable recruitment.