Understanding boko haram in nigeria
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Transcript of Understanding boko haram in nigeria
UNDERSTANDING BOKO
UNDERSTANDING BOKO-HARAM IN NIGERIA
December 2016
SARON M. OBIA
1
HARAM IN NIGERIA
December 2016
2
ABSTRACT
This paper traces the development of Boko-Haram from two perspectives (Socio-economic and
Political), it exposes the reasons for the re-emergence of insecurity in Nigeria, precisely Northern
zone which shares the same culture with Northern Cameroon. The paper equally explores the
various groups threatening Nigerian sovereignty and countries of the Lake Chad Basin. It also
outlines some responses to adapt to the changing modus operandi of the terrorist organization.
INTRODUCTION
It is no gain say (news) that this is an era of terrorism which is a major challenge of post-cold
war international security. Both Regional and International Organizations including the
international community have different views on what is extremism, terrorism and insurgence as
activities perpetrated by some Muslims to subdue the world. Nigeria has been recognized from
her history as a country with the highest number of putsch, a new challenge of international,
regional and national insecurity is gaming the country. It is no news that “Boko-Haram” is
rewriting the history of Nigeria through her series of targeted attacks on communities and soft
target bombing in the Northern part of Nigeria. The mutation in their attacks and the connection
to the Islamic State of Israel and Syria(ISIS)1 is a challenge to national security and safety within
Nigeria and its neighbors i.e Chad, Cameroon, Central African Republic just to name a few.
Initially the group2 seem to direct its attacks specifically on individuals (condemning Western
Culture) but the pattern has changed even mosque are being attacked, soft targets like markets
stimulate tension in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The canca worm which has eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian society is mainly socio-
economic and political.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC:
Nigeria is made up of several ethnic groups with varied customs and tradition coupled with a
booming population (Nigeria has the highest population in Africa) which makes the rule of law
1 The recent split of Boko-Haram by ISIS and appointment of Muhammad Yusuf’s son has increased the level of vulnerability in
Nigeria. 2Boko-Haram’s attacks were on individuals (condemning western education), but the pattern changed when mosques were
being attacked and markets which stimulates tension in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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difficult to apply. Nigeria is a country with the highest number of “coups d’état”, radicalization
has brought the economy on her knees. This is seen in the following areas;
- Drop in fuel/oil price
-Devaluation of the (currency) Naira
-Sale of weapons to terrorist and armed groups. Establishment of new security base and training
camps
-The sale of two Presidential jets or planes
-The issue to restrain Nigeria from becoming an emergent country in 2020
In spite of President Buhari’s introduction of transparency, crackdown on corruption and
embezzlement national security is still a major problem. The attack on the police Headquarters
and United Nations Building in Abuja reveals the lapses and quality (low) of intelligence service
in Nigeria. This has led to several questions:
-Can Nigeria defeat Boko-Haram?
-Would Nigeria become an Islamic State?
-What are the Challenges involved to defeat Boko-Haram?
POLITICAL
Boko-Haram was founded by Muhammad Yusuf3, today the group is referred to as an extremist
and terrorist organization. The organizations objective are against Western Culture or
Civilization. According to this group, Western civilization has a negative impact on the Nigerian
Community as such it has to be swept aside. To achieve his objective Yusuf built a school and a
mosque to teach Islamic Religion and moral values. It should be recalled that, the group began
operating in 2002 as a Traditional Quranic Islamic School (Mu’azu, 2011)4. Questions have been
raised as to the formation of this group (Boko-Haram). The irony is that they oppose Western
culture yet they use weapons fabricated by the West. Does the Holy Koran support violence?
3 See Mantzikos (2013) Boko Haram Anatomy of a Crisis by e-International Relations (Bristol, UK) 2013, (p 46-51).
4Dr. AbubakarMu’azu (2011) Understanding the emergent trends of terrorism in Nigeria: The case of Boko-Haram and similar
groups, paper presentation at a conference organized by CLEEN Foundation on Responding to the emergent trends of terrorism in Nigeria, 2011.
4
In some instances the group is referred to as Yusufiyya sect following the name of its founder,
Muhammad Yusuf (Mu’azu, 2011). The split in 2016 of the group and the appointment of
Yusuf’s son as leader by ISIS has increase the level of vulnerability in Nigeria and Central
African states. The eruption that occurred in 2009 was as a result on the crackdown on the
followers of Muhammad Yusuf. Which eventually led to his arrest. Col. Ahantou led the
operation and handed Yusuf to the police commander of Borno state (Mu’azu 2011).
The re-emergence of the group with attacks on selected targets including Islamic scholars,
politicians and individuals who oppose them has led to terror and fear. It is important to note that
Boko-Haram never targeted those who were not involve in their crusade. The group propaganda
at the time left other leaders with no option than to get involved. As a result of the numerous
bomb blast which affected innocent people and destruction of property. Their activities has led to
frequent regional, inter-regional and international Security Summits in Paris and Nigeria. Several
questions have been raised with regards to insecurity in Nigeria:
-Is self-defense a violation of human rights?
-Why is the principle of sovereignty not respected in Nigeria?
-Is there any civil-military relationship in Nigeria?
-Why should Niger Delta create its own sphere?
Radicalization in Nigeria is as a result of the great jihad and putsch or coup d’états. The
economic crisis of the 1980s still loops on the economy. Faced with this situation the
government has made several attempts to bring the situation on control to no avail. Stakeholders
imposed neo-liberal solutions which brought a lot of suffering to the citizens. The introduction of
the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which prescribed the Structural Adjustment Programme
(SAP)5 during the reign of General Ibrahim Bbagida and other Nigerian premier like General
Olusegun Obasanjo and President Shehu Usman AliyuShagari did not help matters. The slogan
“things have to get worse before they get better” was developed.
5 The introducing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) which prescribed the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP)
during the regime of General Ibrahim Babangida; and other Nigerian premier like General Olusegun Obasanjo and President Shehu Usman AliyuShagari, a slogan ‘things have to get worse before they get better’ was developed
5
The problem Nigeria is facing today is as a result of the crisis in the 1980s. It is not the fault of a
single individual all Nigerians have contributed to the crisis. The crisis has led to act of violence,
vandalism and the formation of gangs. These gangs serves as political thugs with backing from
those in power. This alone has led to insecurity with is challenges.
UNDERSTANDING THE RE-EMERGENCE OF INSECURITY IN NIGERIA
The security mechanisms used by some countries does not exist in the international scene. That
is the hierarchy that exist between state system is absent at the international level. Therefore
states operate in an anarchical system. The issue of survival of human beings has been of great
concern, since at the creation at a micro or macro level. Whether in war or peace time, human
life is directly link to security issues. So at individual or national level the increase in poverty,
disease, hunger has security issues and implications.
According to Mu’azu1 (2011), Terrorism is a concept that is fluid and a subject of contestations.
But there is a say that “one man’s terrorist is another ones freedom fighter”, the return of civil
rule in 1999 in Nigeria, led to new dimension of insecurity, from petty groups, militancy and the
new cancer (Boko-Haram). This deviant behavior began with attacks on law enforcement
officers and on infrastructure by the Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC). The destruction of
pipeline accommodating oil, detonation of bombs to interrupt national day in Abuja by radicals
in the Niger Delta; the abduction of citizens in the East and foreign oil workers and excessive
murder of law enforcement officers. This behavior took a different dimension with Boko-Haram
attacks on Police Headquarters and the United Nations building in Abuja. All this actions have
given more light to Henry Kissinger’s new “World Order”6.
Mapping the Various Groups Challenging Nigerian Sovereignty
NAME OF GROUP LOCATIONS
Niger Delta ethnic militia group South South
Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC) South West
Bakassi Boys and Movement for the Sovereign
State of Biafra (MASSOB)
South East
Boko-Haram (BH) or Borno state
6 Henry Kissinger’s World Order gave a different conception to foreign policy in the world.
6
Jama’atulAhlusSunnahLidda’awatiwal Jihad
Source:Mu’azu (2011)
Terrorism in Nigeria is due to the re-emergence of traditional activities within the country. That
is putsch or coup d’états, violence against cultures and non-residents. The7causes of
suchbehavior is as a result of;
1-Lack of effective communication within the community and country
2-Bad governance
3-Inadequate security
The increasing radicalization in Nigeria, warrants the State to review its institutional policies.
The persistent feeling of failure has led to the emergence of groups that resort to terror and
security challenges. All these groups had mounted attacks on the State either directly on
representatives of the state such as; security personnel’s and its economic vein by paralyzing oil
exports through pipeline vandalisation, kidnapping foreigners or engaged the military in battles.
Their activities and tactics demonstrate that there is a goal they want to achieve; it is not just
violence for its own sake.
Niger Delta
The militants in Niger Delta resorted to the use of terror because the problem confronting the
state was left unaddressed by the Nigerian State. The United Nations upholds the position Ken
aspired for a peaceful approach andstate sanctioned violence. But the failure to listen to him and
his supporters led to the emergence of several groups that confronted the State. October 1, 2010,
Abuja8 was attacked by militants detonating explosives (CLEEN Foundation, 2013). It is strange
how MEND were able to penetrate the security network in the Federal Capital, Abuja and
detonate a bomb without detection. MEND also claimed responsibility. It took sustained
sabotage actions by the militants to get the Federal Government to resort to dialogue and put up a
program for the rehabilitation of the militants.
Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC)
7 See Saron (2016) African Union: Transition and its ability to respond to conflicts in Africa.
8CLEEN Foundation (2013) October 1
st 2010, there was a bomb blast at the Eagle Square, Abuja, with explosives been
detonated by some militants.
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The OPC operates in the South West of Nigeria, for the advancement of Yoruba people and to
bring them under single umbrella. In its bid to achieve its goal, OPC had battles with other
ethnic groups and the Nigerian Police Force. Whenever their members were arrested, they made
strenuous efforts to secure their release. This included mounting attacks on law enforcement
officers, attack on police stations and in some cases, burning them. At a given point, it was
described as an organization that was going to unleash guerrilla war.
Boko- Haram (BH)
The group was formerly known as the Jama’atuAhlusSunnahLidda’awatiwal- Jihad (People
Committed to the Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad)9 (Mantzikos, 2013). Its activities drew
immediate response from President Goodluck Jonathan that MEND10 was not responsible for the
attack, but to this day his regime has not been able to tell Nigerians who did it. However, the
brain behind the attack is being tried in South Africa.
Boko-Haram: Terrorist group or Insurgency
In Sub-Saharan Africa particularly in the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad have
been drawn into the war on terror by Boko-Haram. Meanwhile at the Horn of Africa Al- Shabab
is destabilizing Somalia and Kenya. The alliance system (i.e. Boko-Haram and Al- Qaeda and
Boko-Haram and ISIS) have diversified the network to acquire logistics able to control states in
Nigeria. Following the alliance system (spiritual and commercial insurgency), national, regional
and international responses are need to tackle insecurity as the new world system. Some
questions have been raised in relation to terrorism in Africa, and Nigeria in particular.
1- What are they motives of these terrorist groups?
International and national security affairs have been dominated with the increasing nature of
conflicts, as crimes keep changing as well as international relations thinking of Post-Cold War
era. The methodological framework of Post-Cold War Terrorism is low keyed protracted
violence to over throw political system or force change of status quo through negotiations which
attracts America, Russia and China in to Africa’s political economy. Political Economy, is a
9Mantzikos (2013) Boko-Haram was formerly known as Jama’atuAhlusSunnahLidda’awatiwal- Jihad (People Committed to the
Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad). 10
See CLEEN Foundation (2011) Responding to the emergent trends of terrorism in Nigeria.
8
mechanism used by some Western countries in the bid to structure the New International
Economic Order, marked by the Bretton Wood Institution.
The basis for insurgency are not hard to find; exploding urbanization and population growth,
communication technology and ecological decadence as well as ethno/cultural and religious bias
fuelled by ignorance and greed. As long as these issues remain the focal point, frustration,
insurgency will persist and exist unless integration and representation balances the edge of
violence. Insurgencies have become a way of life, which models depend on the dominant view
amongst protagonist in the conflict.
2- Why Boko-Haram was not labeled a terrorist organization by the U.S?
The international community’s response to Boko Haram has been regarded with mixed
feeling.Hilary Clinton said the abduction of the Chibok11 girls by Boko-Haram as an
“abominable, it’s criminal, it’s an act of terrorism and it merits the fullest response from
Nigeria”. Yet, when she was Secretary of State, her department did not classify Boko-Haram as a
Terrorist Organization, despite Boko Haram’s connections to Al-Qaeda and pressure from the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Justice
Department and numerous members of Congress.
3- Why was Boko-Haram neglected by the U.S?
According to former U.S Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jonnie Carson, Boko-
Haram was focused on discrediting Nigeria government, and was not necessarily terrorizing the
country. Carson also observed that Boko-Haram if coined terrorist organization at the time,might
raise the organization’s momentum, given her greater credibility, and probably get more
assistance. It was until November 2013 that the US brandished Boko-Haram as a Foreign
Terrorist Organization (FTO)12.
Moreover, Sarah Sewall, Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights,
told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 21 May, 2014 that the abduction and the security
threats posed by Boko-Haram needs adequate government intelligence. That is why the United
States is supporting Nigeria in counter-terrorism strategies. Yet, problems are not just limited to
11
‘Clinton: Kidnapping in Nigeria “Act of Terrorism”’, Associated Press, 7 May 2014, available at http://bigstory.ap.org/article/clinton-kidnap-ping-nigerian-girls-abominable 12
IBID
9
the US. Many Western nations have pledge to fight against terrorism in Nigeria, and Africa in
general.
Furthermore, it is possible that the abduction and continues attacks in Nigeria is a tip of the ice
burg which needs foreign assistance. The stakes are too high for the West not to get involved
because they cannot afford for Nigeria to be led by jihadists. For example, the attacks over major
territory in Mali in late 2012, spark French military intervention to dislodge the terrorists from
the country; but Nigeria is strategically larger than Mali. The inadequate regional co-operation at
the beginning of the crisis in Nigeria was perceived by other African states as a mere situation,
and that as the leading economic country in Africa, she could resolve her domestic insecurity
issues. Also, co-operation or communication between state men at the time was poor (the former
Nigerian President Goodluck J. and Cameroonian President Paul Biya).
National Response to Counter –Terrorism in Nigeria
The notion of national security began with theorists like J.J Rosseau, Nicolas Machiavelli and
Thomas Hobbs. They perceived sovereignty of state as a vital issue. They viewed the
international system as a brutal arena in which states would seek to achieve their own security at
the expense of their neighbors. The Russian enigma; which shares analyses with the block about
the US global strategy. That of interference in regional and international affairs. But the question
has always been; what is the interest of the US in foreign state?
According tonational security adviser Brig General Andrew Azazi (Rtd)13 (2011), the capacity
of state to prevent, defeat and counter-terrorism is a major security challenge in Nigerian. The
Nigerian situation is similar to that of Libya, where national security needs restructuring,
following contemporary discourse, terrorist assaults recorded in the territory (through bombings,
fire exchange, the use of explosives, as well as suicide attacks). In effect, both passive and active
measures, need to be instituted by government to combat terrorism. An example is the bill
criminalizing terrorism passed by the National Assembly in 2010, the Anti-Terrorism Act which
exposes acts of terrorism and related offences, terrorist funding, investigation, prosecution,
mutual assistance and extradition,.
13
Brig General Andrew Azazi (Rtd) and National Security Adviser enumerated the challenges encountered by Nigeria as concerns counter-terrorism, his opening remark in a conference organized by the CLEEN Foundation in 2011 on Responding to the emergent trends of terrorism in Nigeria.
10
More so, dissemination of information in any form intended to cause panic, violence, or terrorize
the government (cyber-terrorism and cyberbullying), individuals, were included by the legislator
in the Act. Some other strategic measures include:
1- Strengthening of security agencies of on-going application of global best practice in security
and intelligence (best practice like that in Israel).
2- Installation of CCTV (closed circuit television or closed circuit cameras) many parts of the
capital, Abuja, to enhance surveillance as well as investigation of terrorism related offences.
3- Intelligence is vital to counter-terrorism, the role of local communities or citizens
(operational intelligence) would easily help to dispel terrorist attacks. Since they have
amastery of their area, and the potential hideouts, which will help Special Forces to counter-
attacks like DSS.
Responses to Boko-Haram by other actors
Denis SassouNguesso (Congolese President) said the solution to Boko-Haram should be African-
led, yet the African Union’s response has been largely inadequate. In this context, the
international community’s assistance have been welcomed. Though regional co-operation exist,
like the Fusion and Liaison Unit, which allows countries such as Nigeria, Algeria, Mali,
Mauritania, Niger, Libya, Burkina Faso and Chad to share intelligence, on counter-terrorism
issues, more is need from ECCAS and ECOWAS14.
Moverover, Mohamed Bazoum (Niger’s Foreign Minister) pointed out that, despite the ties
between Al- Qaeda in the Maghreb (AQIM) and Boko-Haram, a unified regional security
approach is required to combat this threat.
The Way Forward
It is no gain say that acts of terror are not exclusive preserve of any group. The State itself could
provoke reactions that will lead to internal conflicts. When that happens questions arise on the
internal affairs of the country (ethno-cultural and economic equality) and the measures to arrest
the security challenge. The solutions are often related to the causes of the radicals engaged in the
acts. It is important for the security services to review its existing architecture that privileges
protection for persons with power to the exclusion of the majority (community). Security is more
14
Read Musah (2009) West Africa: Governance and Security in a Changing Region, International Peace Institute,2009 (p14)
11
than soldiers, policies and arsenals of violence. Those who exercise power enjoy, and the
satisfaction or needs of citizens are neglected. Proactive measures should be put in place like
being kin to global development in the world, than await issues to arise before responding to
them unhealthy. For instance, the 9/ 11 attacks in 2011, cases of terror in Kenya and Uganda
should have been a signal to Nigeria.
Moreover, the Nigerian government, precisely the Secret Service Department need effective
collaboration with researchers verse in counter-terrorism, civil society organizations that are in
the security sector. Also, community should be empowered or trained to monitor, secure and
provide information to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF). Inter-security cooperation and
intelligence sharing are critical to the success of counter-terrorism. They need to resolve the
unnecessary sense of superiority and rivalry that affects collaboration among the army, navy, air
force, the police, civil defense corps, and immigration.
In conclusion, orientation or training of security personnel on counter-terrorism within the
society and not the regime. For Nigeria to counter-terrorism, there must be collective security,
and unity amongst its citizens. Internal disputes, are early warning signals to future insurgencies,
like the case of the Niger Delta crisis. The collapse of colonialism in Africa was the development
of a new agenda. The concept of Neo-colonialism or hegemonic system established by the
Bretton woods Institution and the World Bank.
12
REFERENCE
A Henry Jackson Society Briefing (2014) Terrorism in Nigeria, The Threat from Boko Haram
and Ansaru, The Henry Jackson Society, 2014.
CLEEN Foundation (2011) Responding to the Emergent Trends of Terrorism in Nigeria, CLEEN
Foundation, 2011.
Mantzikos I. (2013) Boko Haram Anatomy of a Crisis, E-International Relations (Bristol, UK),
2013.
Musah A. F. (2009) West Africa: Governance and Security in a Changing Region, International
Peace Institute, 2009.