Although its recent activities have been more violent and more frequent, Islamist sect, Boko Haram has been launching attacks against Christians, churches and federal institutions in northern and central Nigeria since 2003. Here, CSW gives you an insight into the group behind the attacks.
What does Boko Haram mean?
Although it is generally translated as "Western education is sinful", Boko Haram literally means "book forbidden"..
What does the group believe and what are its aims?
The group arose in 2002. It initially called itself Al Sunna Wal Jamma and at that time was nicknamed "the Taliban" or "Yusufiyya" after its founder-leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who styled himself on Mullah Omar. Mohammed Yusuf believed Islam had been corrupted by Westernisation and all that it brought, especially education and Christianity, and rejected the legitimacy of the state and of Muslim traditional rulers – a sentiment echoed in the current Boko Haram's contemptuous dismissal of the authority of the Sultan of Sokoto.
The group sought the destruction of federal Nigeria and its replacement by a Shari'a state governed by an orthodoxy defined by Mohammed Yusuf. The aims of Boko Haram's ideology were to be accomplished using violence. In 2003, it began a brief uprising in Yobe State, declaring a jihad against Christians and the Nigerian government. In 2004, it murdered over twelve Christians in in Borno State. In 2009, it killed three pastors, torched over twenty churches, destroyed Christian-owned businesses and used over 100 Christians as human shields at its Maiduguri headquarters, beheading any men who refused to convert.
Do all members of the group want to employ such violent tactics?
During 2011, Boko Haram reportedly suffered schisms. One faction is allegedly more moderate, seeking to end the violence; another reportedly seeks peace dividends similar to those received by Niger Delta militants. The most hard-line members reject negotiations, and continue to seek to implement Yusufiyya-style Shari'a nationwide. Another group has emerged, disavowed by the originally Boko Haram whether truly or falsely, that kidnaps and kills Western hostages, claiming to be Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).
Why did the group emerge?
There is a school of thought that believes the emergence of Boko Haram is largely attributable to poverty in northern Nigerian and a reaction to endemic corruption. Others claim Boko Haram arose from injustices suffered by the north or even by the group itself, with its recent and more violent incarnation being described as an attempt at restitution for murder of its leader. However, while Boko Haram may currently be seeking to position itself as the champion of the oppressed northern Muslim underclass, its origins lie elsewhere, and defining it as being born of anger against corruption and injustice is to dignify a violent group with far too much credibility.
How does violence in northern Nigeria differ from violence in the rest of the country?
The difference in the north is that religion is inextricably interwoven in the political, social and ethnic fabric, often to the extent of spacial segregation. The visible trigger of violence may not be religious in nature, however, whether termed political, ethnic, herder-farmer or indigene-settler, these are often carrier issues and violence inevitably unfolds along religious lines. Thus, after any outbreak of violence, churches are quickly targeted and people are often asked their religious beliefs and treated accordingly.
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Pray
Join 30 days of prayer for Nigeria
CSW launches 30 days of prayer for Nigeria and urges Christians around the world to show their support. You can take part by joining CSW's Facebook group.
Please pray:
- For all those who have lost loved ones, asking God to comfort and uphold them, sustaining them with His peace.
- For an end to the cycle of retaliatory violence, and that security forces would be able to calm situations using minimal force.
- Pray fervently for every attack planned against churches or government facilities to fail, and attackers to be apprehended.
- Ask God to move in power to expose Boko Haram's plans, members, funders and backers and bring an end to every aspect of the violence perpetrated by the group.
- That regardless of their creed, Nigerians would unite against Boko Haram.
- For the urgent restoration of peace and true reconciliation between religious communities in Kaduna.
Provide
Buy a Freedom Gift so that CSW can make an emergency visit to Nigeria to gather evidence, support victims of the recent violence and stand in solidarity with local communities. We only need 100 people to make a gift to make this possible!