3.
They are an Islamist sect
They believe that the Nigerian government is
run by corrupt Muslims
Boko Haram is not connected to Al-Quaeda
They are most known for burning down
schools, churches, mosques and markets
Boko Haram translates to “western education
is forbidden”
4. Originated in 2002 from a youth group based out
of the Alnaji Muhammadu Ndimi Mosque
This youth group soon formed an offshoot that
created a separatist community near the border
with Niger
The community was fanatical in creating an
Islamic way of life in Nigeria
In 2003 most of the community was
exterminated by police after a conflict over
fishing rights
5.
They believe that strict Islamic law should be
enforced in Nigeria
They are believed to be receiving funds from
Salafist contacts in Saudi Arabia or from wealthy
business men in the North
After events in 2009, the Nigerian government
began a crack down on the group. Which
resulted in mass arrests and executions.
This culminated in the death of their leader
Muhammad Yusuf
6. In this video, Boko Haram’s former second in command Abubakar
Shekau, who claimed leadership in July 2010, is addressing the
western world, particularly Barak Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfJXOyORHNA
7. According to Boko Haram, western education is
prohibited and against the teachings of Islam
Targeting schools has become a Boko Haram
trademark
Thousands of parents have taken their children
out of Nigerian schools with western ideals
Even though Boko Haram is against western
beliefs, they have not until recently, expressed
interest in attacking the United-States and Israel
8. September 29th 2013, Boko Haram opened fire
on a college dormitory in the Yobe state in the
town of Gujba.
This attack resulted in the death of 40 students
They were fully armed with sophisticated rifles
and improvised explosives
In may, due to the recent violence, the president
of Nigeria Goodluck Johnathan imposed a state
of emergency in many northern states
This attack and other recent violence have led
many to doubt the government and militaries
success against defeating the group
9.
Boko Haram and Al Shabab were the most
violent armed groups in Africa in 2012
Due to government and military intervention
the number of Boko Haram supporters has
been greatly reduced
“The US governments bounty for Boko
Haram leader Abubakar Shekau stands at $7
million, to put this in perspective, it’s $2
million more than what’s offered for the
Afghan Taliban’s top man”