Defeating Boko Haram
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Boko Haram:
Boko Haram is one of the extremist Islamic sects in Nigeria which is well-known as Jama'atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda'Awati Wal Jihad. This sect has created drastic impacts on the northern region of Nigeria as well as on its capital. This group is having a war against the false Muslims and the Federal Republic of Nigeria so that it could create a pure Islamic state that would be operated according to the sharia laws only. Mohammed Yusuf founded it, in 2002, in Maiduguri, which is the capital of the north-eastern state of Borno (Doukhan,et,al,2012). Yusuf established a school for training interested people, so that there would be more members in this group, and this school attracted attention of many poor Muslim families from Nigeria and all neighboring countries as well. Boko Haram is a kind of movement that claimed to act in the name of Islam and has killed tens of thousands of people in Nigeria and other countries as well. Muslims, Christians, and Civilians all are target of Boko Haram. Thousands of people have been a prey of hunger, disease, and migration just because of this terrorist group.
History:
History of this terrorist group could be traced back to 2002, when its founder Mohammed Yusuf founded it. This group was founded by for implementing Islamic teachings in the country. The primary goal of this organization is to purify Islam in northern Nigeria. They are against the education of girls and has been observed kidnapping school going girls because this organization thinks that for making northern Nigeria an Islamic state girls should stay at home and should not go to schools for getting education. Government of Nigeria did not take this organization seriously when it emerged for the first time back in 2002.
There are many strategies that terrorist use for achieving their goals but one of the most evident strategies that have been used by Boko Haram is strategy of "Intimidation." It is a strategy in which terrorists use tool of threat and gives direct signal for preventing and discouraging undesired behavior and attitudes. In this strategy, terrorists try to overthrow a government by using their power and threatening the population. Specifically, this strategy is used by terrorists for gaining control over the population.
Abstract:
Boko Haram is one of the emerging groups of terrorists that are becoming a threat not only for the people of Nigeria but also for the whole world. Specifically, this terrorist group has become a severe threat for United States as well who is trying to have safety measures against the risks that it is having from this organization. Boko Haram is also responsible for 2009 bomb attacks that directly attacked Nigerian government, security officials, Churches, civilians and headquarter of UN that was based in Abuja (Karmon,et,al,2014). One of the root causes of taking such dreadful steps that this organization takes mostly is its desire of taking over control of the matters that should have no intervention.
Not only Boko Haram is affecting Nigeria and its people, even America is suffering equally from threats of this organization. Economy of both these countries is getting severely damaged and if sufficient steps are not going to be taken on time, condition would get worst.
Tactics and strategies of Boko Haram, a serious threat for United States:
Boko Haram has become a sign of danger not only for people of Nigeria but for United States and its interests as well. United States seems to be up for eliminating all the fears of terrorism for last few decades. But in the present age, Boko Haram has become a hurdle in maintaining internal peace as this organization claims to have complete Islamic code of life in Nigeria, it is threatening people. Terrorist strategy of Boko Haram is quite evident from its external alliances and the way it is exploiting rights of Nigerian population. This group has been linked up with many other Islamic terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, who do training and financial funding of Boko Haram. Strategic planning of this sect or organization is quite similar to that of Al Qaeda; it uses individuals, minor groups and autonomous cells to engage its people for urban terrorism. Boko Haram also uses it agendas and participate efficiently for promoting its ideology and by using sympathetic tool, it has even won trust of many people who after being manipulation has started supporting this organization. People who were not convinced through the tool of sympathy, had faced violence ultimately (Aghedo,et,al,2012). There are some basic strategies that this organization has been using for achieving set goals, such as it involves assassination of the key figure, robbing banks, attacking militants, bomb attack on roadsides and utilization of improvised devices for killing people. One of the key elements of this terrorist group is suicide bombers, who kill themselves along with killing several people. It usually targets an urban area. For practical execution of its plan, this organization needs local collaboration and support.
Tactics used by Boko Haram:
Many tactics are being used by Boko Haram but a major tactic that has been under observation for long time by the American intelligence is that they hid explosive devices in local populations so that they could cause chaos in the whole world. They wanted to create an impression on people that they are unsafe in their own country, government is helpless and under the control of Boko Haram.
Another primary tactic used by Boko Haram is that this organization has developed strong relationship with other influential groups that have been a severe threat for U.S. This is one of the best tactics that has been used by Boko Haram that it is not competing with other groups who had created a buzz around the world for threating and forcefully convincing people to support them.
Strategies used by Boko Haram:
Terrorism is not an ideology instead it is more like an aim to achieve a specific end. Terrorists use their power for changing minds of masses and for forcing them to do things that are against their will. They use violence and destroy governmental bodies for creating their influence on people. One of the tactics that have been used by Boko Haram is taking in control government by targeting innocent citizens or by blackmailing the authorities by targeting most sensitive parts of a country. There are various strategies that terrorists use for accomplishing their goals and these strategies mainly depend upon their goals. Few of the main strategies include attrition, intimidation, provocation, spoiling and outbidding that are being listed below:
Attrition:
It is one of the primary strategies that terrorists have been using since ages. In this strategy, terrorists try to persuade their enemies that they are stronger than them. Terrorists give AN impression to their enemies that they have to pay considerable cost if they are going to carry on specific policies that may have negative influence on terrorist activities.
Intimidation:
It is a terrorist strategy that forces people for doing things that they would not do happily. People are forced to make sacrifices of their individuality and they are pushed to do things that would be against their will or desire. It is a terrorist strategy that would indicate and warn public that they are going to be punished if they would not obey their commands. They threat people by giving them message that even ruling government is helpless in front of them and could not stop them. Another important thing that would prove it a great terrorist strategy is that for having public support, it comes in direct competition with government.
Provocation:
It is another strategy that has been used by terrorists for achieving their set goals, in this strategy terrorists by using indiscriminate violence would support few sections of population and would work for promoting these sections and for that terrorists are going to have required support for continuing their particular activities.
Spoiling:
In this strategy, terrorists try not to be too violent and try to settle things of their interest using peace. They express themselves as moderately weak for their benefit so that people would not directly reject them considering them a risk for them.
Outbidding:
In this strategy, terrorists use violence for getting support of general public and would use violence for leaving an impression on people that they have more power than their rival groups. They are going to influence people by using their power that they have to support them, otherwise they would face serious outcomes.
Effect of terrorism on U.S and its economy:
Boko Haram has adopted almost all the strategies that have been discussed above, as they wanted to have control over the Nigerian government. It is quite evident that when the Nigerian government would be under pressure and influence of the terrorists than this government won’t be allowed to make any decision without having the consent of Boko Haram. If the Nigerian government and is going to take any decision specifically on behalf of Northern Nigeria than not only the government is going to face the server circumstance, but the population is also going to be the target of the Boko Haram’s brutality. But mainly this group is using Intimidation strategy as Boko Haram just wanted to have complete control over the government and does not want the government to have any that would be unhealthy for their goals. There is a great conflict between the ideology of Boko Haram and the Nigerian government. Boko Haram has banned western education, and specifically, they have been involved in the abduction of many girls who were on their way to educational institutes as they are against the education of girls.
This fact cannot be denied that the Nigerian government is under the pressure of Boko Haram and cannot collaboration freely with the U.S security authorities. Boko Haram is having close collaboration with Al Qaeda, al Shabaab and other important terrorist groups who have been a continuous threat for U.S security. Boko Haram is getting stronger day by day as it is acquiring new tactics and techniques for the former terrorist groups. Even the former well-known terrorist groups are giving training to members of Boko Haram. This group is becoming a constant threat for the U.S as the intelligence is getting warnings from the synchronization of Boko Haram and other militant Islamic groups that they are going to be a matter of serious concern for the American intelligence. It has been seen that Boko Haram is targeting the American security forces, civilians, and politicians. There is only one way why Boko Haram is going to refrain from targeting the U.S if American policies are going to made keeping in view the interest of Nigeria. But the U.S has always been against all those groups who are creating chaos worldwide. Keeping in view the situation Patrick Meehan emphasized that there is more need of cooperation between U.S and Nigeria for controlling the terrorism that is threating interests of both countries.
List of targets of Boko Haram is expanding, and its closeness with Al Qaeda is going to be a great challenge for American government and intelligence. Al Qaeda has always been a constant threat for America, and it has always supported all those militants that wished to attack America, there is an excellent chance that maybe Al Qaeda may use Boko Haram against America.
Another primary why Boko Haram is a real threat for the U.S is that it has been seen that many regional organizations all of a sudden target U.S homeland. For example, a secret member of Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) Faisal Shahzad who was an American national attacked at the Times Square with a bomb planted car but was failed in accomplishing his mission. TTP is also a regional Islamic organization, but it has targeted the U.S many times (Onapajo,et,al,2012). The even U.S was proven wrong when Iran and its terrorist proxies were unexpectedly was revealed about having a plan of attacking Washington D.C. Failure of the imagination of America was proven when the intelligence community underestimated capabilities of Islamic organization who are forcefully trying to implement their rules and laws over the population of the areas that they have taken under their control. After 9/11 many Americans believed and argued that leaders underestimate the gravity of threat from terrorists and compromise on the security of its citizen. The American intelligence cannot take the risk of underestimating the threat from emerging Boko Haram terrorist group as the U.S may found itself in a similar kind of trap like that of 9/11. The rise of Boko Haram is becoming a major concern for America a few years back it emerged just as a small local group, but in the present scenario, it has built strong links with many other militant terrorist groups that have been damaging interests of America since ages. It is quite potential to create chaos for the American government if appropriate steps have not been taken.
Boko Haram has been involved in many attacks on Nigeria, and one of the most notorious acts of this group is that it has been involved in the attack of the bombing that was on the truck of United Nation that happened in Abuja. Another major thing is that this group has been involved in the attack on the Christians on the Christmas day specifically on the Churches through bombing and gun attacks (Okasi,et,al,2015). Boko Haram has been involved in many of the roadside bombings which took the life of two hundred of innocents. Boko Haram has been targeting the local Nigeria police for pushing them to release some of the prominent inmates who prove be to very important for this group so that this group could increase its rank among other terrorist groups.
Effects of tactics and strategies used by terrorists on the economy of U.S:
Terrorism created by Boko Haram is directly having a negative impact on economy of US and this thing has been proved many times as it could be seen that Boko Haram is forcing Nigerian government not to have relation with U.S. and if wanted to have relationships with American government that should be according to the guidance of Boko Haram. Social and economic interests of U.S are severely affected because of Boko Haram as it has been seen that many analysts have diverted attention of America for finding a solution to the problems that Boko Haram has created for Nigerian people and government. When these terrorist attacks, they become a reason for loss of many lives and properties (Winderm,et,al,2014). It is a fact that a country that becomes victim of terrorism suffers a lot economically as no one wants to invest in countries that are on the hit list of terrorists. Terrorism significantly affects trade or foreign direct investment because foreign nations always want to invest in countries that are less-terror-prone nations. Terrorism also increases price of products in those countries that continually receives threats from terrorists. According to a report, in almost 200 countries, bilateral trade has been decreased by 4 percent from 1960 to 1993 including America.
Mantzikos, I. (2014). Boko Haram Attacks in Nigeria and Neighboring Countries: A Chronology of Attacks | Mantzikos | Perspectives on Terrorism. Retrieved November 09, 2015, from
http://www.terrorismanalysts.com/pt/index.php/pot/article/view/391/html
Boko Haram's Insurgency that ignited the fire of conflict of neighbors against neighbors, taking into account the fact that these fights cost more than 4000 lives and about half million people were displaced, the organizational framework was distorted, and all these factors contributed to the fall of the economy. The terrorist organization named as Boko Haram evolved into one of the major lethal Salafist jihadist organization. The major targets of the organization were Critical Muslim Clerks and Christians along with other people who were involved in certain state collaborations. The campaign targeted everyone who was having anti-Islam faiths, taking into account attacks on bars, Girl’s schools and the polio vaccination centers. The leader of Boko Haram Abubaker Shekau put forth his agenda by asserting that he is going to sell girls as wives along with an affirmation that he strongly opposes the idea of female education. On May 5, 2014, Boko Haram targeted the unprotected town of Gamboru Ngala however it was reported that about 300 civilians were also killed (Mantzikos,et,al,2014). According to the annual report of state department, some of the major sections were the agendas that the strategy was planning to adopt such as "sophistication of BH attacks", "the number of groups will range from hundreds to thousands", ‘Chad and Niger will be a sanctuary however it will also be treated as a conflict zone". Between the period of 2003 and 2009, very few numbers of accidents were recorded, a list prepared by the University of Maryland's Global Terrorism is comprehensive, but still it infers a detailed account of each incident.
Hare, J. (2015, March 14). How Northern Nigeria's Violent History Explains Boko Haram. Retrieved November 05, 2015, from
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/03/150314-boko-haram-nigeria-borno-rabih-abubakar-shekau/
Boko Haram inferred violence and bloodshed in the state of Gombe which was originally a well-developed and a peaceful state. This area was ruled by a Muslim emir who belonged to a Fulani Tribe. After Nigeria's independence, the country became a victim of same threats and the bloodsheds that are associated with the interference of terrorist group. Both Dadin Kowa and Gombe became a target to Boko Harm, houses were set on fire, people were killed, and the army and air force were completely failed in addressing the increasing war (Hare,et,al,2015). Although Nigerians themselves tried their best to address this issue there were major causalities on both sides, about 276 schoolgirls were kidnapped, and 6000 civilians were killed. It would not be wrong to say that Boko Haram targeted the peace of the two countries as well, taking into account an increasing number of restrictions.
Ford, J. (2014, June 6). The Origins of Boko Haram. Retrieved November 2, 2015, from
http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-origins-boko-haram-10609?page=2
In this article, it has been highlighted that Boko Harm appeared at the consciousness of some of the major Western countries for the very first time in April. Boko Haram was an increasing power that prevailed and globalized with time, following the preaching of Mohammed Marwa who was extremist in nature. He used religious book as a tool to infer and highlight his training taking into account the fact that he prohibited the reading of Hadith and the Sunnah that was mentioned in the Holy Quran (Ford,et,al,2014). He directed his followers to stay void of some basic instructions that were mentioned in the code of ethics of some major religions such as Islam and Christianity. He was well aware of the fact that the population of the country was divided into few sections, Muslims, Christians and the Muslims belonged to the Fulani and Hausa group while the Christian group comprises of the Yoruba and Igbo groups. In the year 2009, Boko Haram certainly got violent, taking into account that the new leader Abubakar Shekau was one of the unyielding proponents who used terrorist tactics to advance its agenda of spreading violence. By the time, Boko Haram became an international organization with multiple agendas and roots in other terrorist organizations.
Olowosagba, B. (2014, June 28). EXPOSED: Ways To End Boko Haram Insurgency In Nigeria. Retrieved November 2, 2015, from
https://www.naij.com/68911.html
Commentary on the menace during Channel Television’s weekend breakfast show Siunrise broadcasted on Sunday, and it was highlighted that the terrorist attack in Abuja was not a surprise. It was argued that the security operation was used as a minor tool of operating attacks and wills. To fight back against the Boko Haram, military and other forces can never be sufficient because such facts have never proved beneficial in achieving goals of peace and cooperation. However, the attack was a clear picture of the hatred that is localized in the aims and objectives of Boko Haram; however, the overall description of attack inferred that the attack occurred at the shopping mall at Emab Plaza and was the third direct attack on Federal Capital Territory within consecutive two months. The attack killed no less than 21 person however 17 people were injured (Olowosagba,et,al,2014). The security operators inferred that two suspects were arrested for the blast but none of them reported the cause, and the intention of attack and they died later. The same case was observed in Kaduna where 123 people were killed by a gunman, taking into an account that the reason of the slaughtering was just the extremism of mind.
Smith, M. (2014, July 22). FACTSHEET: Explaining Nigeria's Boko Haram and its violent insurgency - Africa Check. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from https://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-explaining-nigerias-boko-haram-and-its-violent-insurgency/
In this article, research by Mike Smithy is shared, taking into account that it is based on the kidnap of the 276 girls by Boko Haram in the town of Chibok In 2014. The article infers violent insurgency of the terrorist group that can be traced right from 2003 with a collection of Islamists who has retreated the remote areas of the northeast area called as Kanamma. A young preacher named as Mohammed Yousaf was the instructor who guided them to achieve their goals and influence their surroundings according to their teachings. Yousaf founded the mosque that acted as a home of his teachings, taking into account a five-day uprising and crackdown. It was a five-day campaign in which several police stations were attacked, and military was engaged in the gun battle. Although the preacher was captured by the police still his execution was witnessed by everyone on live channels. It would not be wrong to say that the strategy of Boko Haram was more like an umbrella that attracted different sections of country such as "religious institutions," "educational institutions," "financing and weaponry sections that were explicitly trafficked in West Africa (Smith,et,al,2014). Taking into account the context of the facts and figures reported, it has been highlighted that although military responded with a massive raid that resulted in the abuse of human rights such as extrajudicial killings, arrests and the burning of homes. In a nutshell, the group resulted in complete adherence to violence and destruction.
Winderm, R. (2014, May 22). Dozens Dead in Multiple Blasts Blamed on Boko Haram. Retrieved November 12, 2015, from
http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/missing-nigeria-schoolgirls/spate-nigerian-bomb-blasts-kill-54-boko-haram-blamed-n431006
About 54 people were killed, and about 90 people were wounded in a bomb attack that was localized in the Nigeria City on Sunday evening. The article infers the violence imparted by the target groups by saying that before one month, the country was completely free of all attacks and targets, but then a Bombo Haram suicide bomber improvised certain explosive devices at a mosque in a pace called Ajilari along with some other insurgents who threw IEDs at targeted point. Although there was no claim about the attack, still it was a hallmark of destruction created by the Islamist Jihadi Group of Boko Haram (Winderm,et,al,2014). In a nutshell, the extremist group is more like home to violence, bad destruction, paving the way for loss and destruction wherever it invades.
Pham, P. (2012, April 1). Boko Haram’s Evolving Threat. Retrieved November 5, 2015, from
http://africacenter.org/2012/04/boko-harams-evolving-threat/
The article infers growing threat related by the Boko Haram, taking into account that the Nigerian Islamist Group has increased violence up to a greater extent, by the year 2010. It refers to the major transformations that are being undertaken regarding tactics, ideology, and capacity (Pham,et,al,2012). It is expected that the links will expand in the future, adhering to the ties between the International Islamist Terrorist organizations and Boko Haram tribe because of the increased adherence to the destruction and the implementation of the individual agendas, i.e., adherence to the military group destruction and prevalence of extremist views. Any encouragement for Boko Haram and the Northern Nigeria's marginalized Muslim communities, affirming that the security action alone will be insufficient to cater the quell of instability.
Boko Haram's 'deadliest massacre' reportedly kills 2,000 in Nigeria. (2015). Fox News. Retrieved 25 January 2019, from
https://www.foxnews.com/world/boko-harams-deadliest-massacre-reportedly-kills-2000-in-nigeria
In this article, the author is talking about the brutality of the terrorist group Boko Haram in Baga where hundreds of dead bodies were still there in the bushes as litter. This extremist group with explosion and continuous gun shooting had killed hundreds of women, children, and aged people. This is one of the deadliest massacres in the history of any extremist attack till date. This group not only uses males for attacking general public instead they are also using children and females as suicide bombers. In a series of attack, there has been reported two more females suicide bombers who killed four people and left more than forty injured. One of the most important press releases was from the American government that was more concerned about the situation that was getting worse with each passing day.
American authorities claimed that they are going to work with the Nigerian government over their policy of counterterrorism despite knowing the fact that many human rights are going to be badly violated while doing this. In an interview, the social and emergency workers have stated that this week was one of the toughest weeks of their work as they had to cope with hundreds of children who got separated from their parents just because of the chaos created by Boko Haram. But it was quite unfortunate that there were only seven children who were reunited with their parents, while 140 children were in list of those who don't even know whether their families were alive or not. The government, on other hand, was trying its best and had planned to send the security forces through planes, but at the end it was seen that government was helpless in front of this group. In this article, there are many stories of victims who had suffered a lot during this attack. One of the old farmers has stated that for saving his life, he traveled with one of his wives for four days and still he knows nothing about his other wives and children. Many heartbreaking stories have been included in this article for revealing the brutality of Boko Haram.
Will Boko Haram Cause Nigeria’s North and South to Separate?. (2019). Truthdig: Expert Reporting, Current News, Provocative Columnists. Retrieved 25 January 2019, from
https://www.truthdig.com/articles/will-boko-haram-cause-nigerias-north-and-south-to-separate/ In this article, one of the main questions is being circulated that has been creating buzz around the world for the last few years. The author in this article has highlighted that if Boko Haram is not going to be controlled, it will cause partition of South and North Nigeria into two parts. This issue has become a headache for the Nigerian government and public. In the beginning when Nigeria got freedom from Britain there were many issues between the two parts, but those issues have been solved and they have chosen nationalism by rejecting tribalism. But at present, this fact cannot be denied that the situation is getting out of hands as Boko Haram has almost taken over the Northern area of Nigeria. Clash between the parts, could be seen as the Southern Nigerians claims that Boko Haram is a curse that the Northern has brought because of their greediness that they showed after the independence. Even many Southern has been seen claiming that it is the karma that is taking revenge of the brutality of Northern people against the Southern people.
Southern Nigeria has denied its connection with Northern people and just wanted to have a safe and secure land for their children as they don't want any intervention from Boko Haram. But on the other hand, Boko Haram is threatening Southern as they don't want any partition between the two parts of Nigeria. One major concern of all the officials, general public and Boko Haram is that if South and North of Nigeria are going to be separate, then there would be a negative impact on the image of the great African giant.
References:
Aghedo, I., & Osumah, O. (2012). The Boko Haram Uprising: How should Nigeria respond? Third World Quarterly, 33(5), 853-869. Retri
Boko Haram's 'deadliest massacre' reportedly kills 2,000 in Nigeria. (2015, January 12). Retrieved November 05, 2015,
Doukhan, D. (2012). Who Are You, Boko Haram?. International Institute for Counter-Terrorism.
Ford, J. (2014, June 6). The Origins of Boko Haram. Retrieved November 2, 2015,
Hare, J. (2015, March 14). How Northern Nigeria's Violent History Explains Boko Haram. Retrieved November 05, 2015,
Karmon, E. (2014). Boko Haram’s international reach. Perspectives on Terrorism, 8(1), 74-83.
Mantzikos, I. (2014). Boko Haram Attacks in Nigeria and Neighboring Countries: A Chronology of Attacks | Mantzikos | Perspectives on Terrorism. Retrieved November 09, 2015,
Okasi, C. (2015, March 15). Will Boko Haram Cause Nigeria's North and South to Separate?: China Okasi. Retrieved November 12, 2015,
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Onapajo, H., Uzodike, U. O., & Whetho, A. (2012). Boko Haram terrorism in Nigeria: The international dimension. South African Journal of International Affairs, 19(3), 337-357.
Smith, M. (2014, July 22). FACTSHEET: Explaining Nigeria's Boko Haram and its violent insurgency - Africa Check. Retrieved November 12, 2015,
Winderm, R. (2014, May 22). Dozens Dead in Multiple Blasts Blamed on Boko Haram. Retrieved November 12, 2015,
