Its official name is Jama'atu Ahlis-Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad, which translates to "People Committed to the Prophet's Teachings for Propagation and Jihad".
However, the common name "Boko Haram" comes from a local language (Hausa) and is widely understood to mean "Western education is forbidden" or "a sin," which reflects its opposition to Western cultural and political influences.
Here is a breakdown of its core aspects:
🕐 Origin and Leadership
· Founded in 2002 in Maiduguri, Nigeria, by cleric Mohammed Yusuf.
· After Yusuf was killed by Nigerian security forces in 2009, Abubakar Shekau became the leader, steering the group towards a more violent insurgency.
· In 2016, the group split into two main factions: JAS (led by Shekau) and Islamic State in West Africa (ISWAP).
🎯 Ideology and Goals
· Seeks to overthrow the secular Nigerian government and establish an Islamic state under strict Sharia law.
· Views Western education, culture, and political systems as corrupt and forbidden.
· Its ideology opposes not only the state and Christians but also Muslims it considers "infidels" for not adhering to its interpretation of Islam.
⚔️ Tactics and Major Attacks
The group employs armed assaults,bombings, and kidnappings. Major attacks include:
· August 2011: Bombing of the UN headquarters in Abuja, killing at least 21 people.
· January 2012: Wave of bombings in Kano, killing over 180 people in a single day.
· April 2014: Kidnapping of over 270 schoolgirls from Chibok, which drew global condemnation.
· Systematic attacks on schools, churches, mosques, and markets.
🌍 Regional Impact and Current Status
· The insurgency has caused a severe humanitarian crisis, with an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 deaths and over 2.3 million people displaced since 2009.
· While largely pushed out of controlled territory by 2017, the group remains a threat,