Boko Haram

'Boko Haram '("Islamic State West African Province") is a Nigerian Islamist terrorist organization. As the main purpose of its existence, it proclaimed the introduction of Sharia throughout Nigeria and the adjacent territories of Niger and Chad. In May 2014, it was included by the UN Security Council in the list of terrorist organizations.

For 2024, there are doubts that Boko Haram is the terrorist group West African Province of the Islamic State, since there were contradictions and struggles for areas of responsibility between these groups. They have the same goals but have their own commanders and leaders. It is possible that these groups united in one or cooperate for joint coordinated actions against the civilians of Niger, Nigeria and Chad, as well as the regular armies of these countries.

For 2024, Boko Haram is subordinate to the terrorist group. IS The ideology of Boko Haram has no significant differences from IS, with the exception of ethnic and regional features. The religious orientation is Salafi Islam.

The leader of the terrorist group since May 2, 2021 is Abu Amaimata.

Militants and weapons

The bulk of Boko Haram militants are representatives of the Kanuri people - an African ethnic group living in the southeast of the Republic of Niger, in the northeast of Nigeria in the province of Borno and on the shores of Lake Chad (Republic of Chad).

According to the 1997 census, 400,000 kanuri lived in Niger, 3 million in Nigeria (1985). Most Kanuri are Muslim. They speak the Kanuri language, which belongs to the Sahrawi language family. Due to the isolation of the language, the Hausa and Fulbe languages ​ ​ are widely used in the movement. They are mainly engaged in agriculture and cattle breeding.

The main part of Boko Haram is based in Nigeria, namely in the northeastern regions of the country.

They operate mainly in the area of ​ ​ Lake Chad, as well as on the border and adjacent territories of Niger.

In service with militants in 2024 there are:

•  Small arms, such as AK-47, mainly of Chinese production, single-shot smoothbore guns.

•  82 mm and 120 mm artisanal mortars.

•  RPG-7.

•   Improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

Also in service are captured weapons obtained during hostilities with representatives of law enforcement agencies and the armed forces of Nigeria.

For movement, militants can use:

•  motorcycles, mopeds.
• cars, including those of the'pickup' type.
• captured armored vehicles received during hostilities with the Nigerian authorities.

Trucks are used to transfer weapons and food.

For reconnaissance operations , unmanned aerial vehicles of the copter type can be used.

The monitoring of open sources found that Boko Haram militants can use red bandages on their left shoulder to identify their fighters in the course of hostilities.

History of movement development

Due to the oppression of Muslims in Nigeria in 2002, the Boko Haram movement was formed in the northeastern part of the country, which initially advocated the rejection of the "Western way of life," science, education and other benefits of civilization.

After the arrest of several members of the group in July 2009, the movement was noticeably radicalized. Although the riot was quickly crushed, in 2010 the group turned to open guerrilla warfare against Nigeria's central government.

Gradually, the gang expanded its activities to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

In 2015, Boko Haram pledged allegiance to IS, forming the Islamic State in West Africa. Due to the inaction of the authorities in the fight against the terrorist threat of IS, it was possible to create a semblance of a quasi-state with a political structure in northeastern Nigeria. The Islamic State fundamentally refuses equal partnership with African groups and, at best, sweeps them under itself or absorbs them. Some of the leaders of Boko Haram did not agree with this and already in 2016 refused the oath. At the beginning of 2023, the two IS and Boko Haram are fighting each other for territory and influence.

The split severely crippled Boko Haram. Since 2019, the activity of the group, which is fighting on two fronts - with the Nigerian government and IS - has waned.

In 2021, the head of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, blew himself up during a skirmish with IS, which undermined the position of the movement even more.

According to the UN at the end of 2022, more than 35 thousand people have died since the beginning of terrorist activity in 2009.

Attacks in Nigeria

Main article: Nigeria

2022: Raid on 'Kuje' prison in Abuja helps escape around 800 prisoners

For many years, the Lake Chad area and northeastern Nigeria have been the zone of influence of radical Islamist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State in West Africa.

The joint military operations of the states of the region are ineffective and, at best, a belated reaction to another attack by militants. At worst, they are decorative in nature for reporting.

The lack of resources in the basin countries to ensure a state presence in unstable areas and insufficient support for the population living there exacerbates the situation and does not at least stop the growth of the activity of terrorist groups.

For Nigeria, the difficult environment in the Lake Chad area is just one manifestation of numerous security concerns. For several years now, Boko Haram and an IS affiliate, along with local criminals, have regularly attacked government agencies, government troops and communities in the northern states.

Terror spreads south and even reaches the capital region: in July 2022, militants raided the Kuje prison in Abuja and helped about 800 prisoners escape.

At the same time, Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari does not particularly seek to publicly recognize the obvious problem. During the first presidential campaign in 2014, the politician promised to defeat Boko Haram, and a year later even declared its "technical defeat."

In fact, the group, 7 years after its "defeat," continues to be active in the Lake Chad basin and carry out new attacks.

Therefore, in November 2022, the leader of Nigeria seeks to smooth the corners and carefully shift the blame for his own failures to external factors. Including - smuggling weapons from the zone of the Ukrainian conflict.

2020:30 killed in Boko Haram attack

In February 2020, Boko Haram Islamists killed at least 30 people and kidnapped women and children during an attack in northeastern Nigeria.

Most of the victims burned in their vehicles during the overnight stay.

The attack took place in the city of Auno, off the main highway in the state of Borno.

2019

Boko Haram Kills 19 Fulani Herders In Northeast Nigeria

In December 2019, Fulani militias engaged jihadists near the town of Gamboru Ngala in Borno state.

Boko Haram has increasingly targeted farmers, ranchers and loggers, accusing them of spying and passing information to the military and local police.

Militants also raid cattle-breeding communities, seizing livestock - a valuable commodity in the region - to finance their activities.

Nigeria Army Temporarily Closes Action Against Hunger Office Over Terrorist Links

In September 2019, the Nigerian army forced the non-profit organization Action Against Hunger to close its office in Maiduguri, in Borno State, accusing it of helping terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and ISIS (banned in Russia).

A month later, the organization's activities were resumed.

During the conflict with Boko Haram, 22,000 people went missing

About 22 thousand people are missing due to an armed conflict involving the terrorist group Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, the press service of the International Committee of the Red Cross said.

About 60% of the missing are persons who did not reach the age of majority at the time of disappearance.

During the conflict in the north-east of the country, about two million Nigerians left their homes.

Islamists from Boko Haram shot a funeral procession. Dozens dead

At the end of July 2019, gunmen on motorcycles arrived in the village of Badu in Borno state and opened fire on people who were returning from a funeral ceremony, killing 21 people.

Another 44 civilians were targeted by terrorists after rushing to the rescue, hearing shots fired. As a result of the incident, 10 radical Islamists from among the attackers were also killed.

2002: Formation of Boko Haram

In 2002, the Boko Haram movement was formed in northeastern Nigeria, which initially advocated the rejection of the "Western way of life," science, education and other benefits of civilization.

1999: The expansion of the rights of Muslims does not deprive them of their feelings of belittlement compared to Christians

Although Muslim rights have expanded significantly since 1999 - 12 Muslim states have officially allowed sharia law to be used - residents of northern Nigeria feel economically and politically marginalized compared to Christians from central and southern Nigeria.

The most severe unrest took place in the northeastern states, where the same Sharia laws extended exclusively to everyday issues.

1961: Muslim northern Cameroon voted to join Nigeria. The beginning of oppression of Muslims

In 1961, Muslim northern Cameroon voted to join Nigeria. After independence, oppression of the Muslim population began, which amounted to approximately 50%.

Beginning of the 20th century: The British annexed the northern territories with a Muslim population to Nigeria

At the beginning of the 20th century, the British annexed the northern territories to Nigeria, in which the Muslim population mainly lived.

Attacks in Chad

Main article: Chad

2020

Boko Haram's biggest defeat since 2016

In April 2020, Chadian troops inflicted the largest defeat on Boko Haram terrorists since 2016. Having lost 52 soldiers, Chadian units destroyed over 1,000 militants and destroyed all their bases in the waters of Lake Chad. The blow is so serious that the leader of the terrorists, Abubakar Shekau, in a video message begged his fighters not to run away, and the Chadians to leave him alone. For President Idris Debi Itno, who dreams of taking Gaddafi's place, this is an important step towards regional leadership.

Nigerian military experts, whose shoulders bear the brunt of the fighting with the Islamists, can only bite their elbows. It is significant that the Nigerian authorities - with its huge military budget of $2,41 billion - they ask to increase their already stupid and clumsy army by another 100 thousand servicemen, while Chad - with a total annual budget of $7 billion and military spending of only $300 million - is able to conduct exemplary operations and strengthen the colonial myth of the "invincibility of the Chadian soldier."

92 soldiers died in Chad as a result of the Boko Haram attack

Boko Haram committed the largest action in the last few years in Chad. At least 92 Chadian soldiers were killed in a militant raid on a military base in Lak province, on the border with Niger and Nigeria. According to the President of Chad, these are the largest one-time losses of the country's Armed Forces during a separate incident.

2019

14 fishermen killed by Boko Haram in Chad

On December 17, 2019, 14 people were killed, five wounded and 13 missing during an Islamist attack on the fishing village of Kaiga in western Chad.

Kayga is located in a swampy remote region where the borders of four countries meet - Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria.

The village is about 60 km from the border with northeastern Nigeria, a staging ground for Boko Haram raids and kidnappings in neighbouring countries.

Suicide bomber from Boko Haram staged a terrorist attack in Chad

At least six people died, five more were injured after a suicide bomber blew herself up in the Kaiga-Kinjiriya district in the Lac province of Chad in August 2019. Four soldiers are among the dead.

Attacks in Niger

2019:12 soldiers killed and 8 injured after gunmen attack overnight in Southeast

The attackers are believed to belong to Boko Haram, the country's defense ministry said.

"On the night of October 29-30, 2019, an unknown armed persons very likely belonging to the Boko Haram terrorist group attacked a military post in the Diffa region," the ministry said in a statement.

History

2020

How Boko Haram built an international fish empire in the waters of Lake Chad

The offensive of the Chadian troops on the positions of Boko Haram terrorists in the waters of Lake Chad had unexpected and non-trivial consequences - the operation led to an explosive increase in prices for smoked fish and red pepper.

The seizure in 2014-2015 by the Nigerian Boko Haram of vast territories on the border of Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon for a long time brought down these two pillars of the economy of a rapidly drying lake.

As a result of the jihadist leadership, many peasants and fishermen were forced to leave the shores and islands of Chad, many were killed, while those who remained - with the exception of the mysterious Yedin people - had to put up with high tariffs (over $30!), As well as constant threats and extortion. The security forces took the region into a tight blockade, blocked the routes and began to consider all fishermen as potential sympathizers of the Islamists.

But everything changed with the separation of the faction of supporters of the Islamic State from the bowels of Boko Haram. IS has taken a more business-oriented strategy - terrorists sent emissaries to refugee camps and allowed former farmers and peasants to return to the areas they left, fortunately, during the two-year downtime, the lake ecosystem has restored order, and also provided them with safe routes for smuggling.

Taxes also decreased - fish transportation was now cheaper - 1 thousand naira, or only $2.8 a day, and a one-time transportation on your canoe - $13.8. On average, fishermen pay IS 15 thousand naira every two weeks, which is significantly less than the previous dachshund. In addition, the IG tested in the communities and villages of the lake the principle of "pay and free" tested in the Middle East, abolished cross-taxation - and it worked. Local residents, basically, ceased to perceive the militants of the "Islamic State" as a threat and returned to their usual economic activities.

So in peak seasons, terrorists earned millions of naira daily - fish from areas controlled by the Islamic State found themselves in the trading ranks of Kano, the economic center of northern Nigeria, covering 70% of southern Nigeria's fish demand - right up to the economic capital of Lagos, and also flooded the food markets of neighboring countries - Niger and Cameroon.

It is extremely difficult to defeat this system. Unlike IS fighters, limited to flexible tariffs (with a ladder of benefits), the military is more likely to confiscate the products of peasants who are registered as supporters of terrorists. Therefore, faced with a drop in income and the collapse of the usual commodity routes, local residents will prefer to again deal with IS militants who have established themselves as more "understanding" partners, wrote the Zangaro Today telegram channel in April 2020.

Apparently, this inconvenient circumstance is one of the reasons why the Nigerian government is generally conducting extremely unpopular negotiations with the odious leader of one of the Boko Haram factions - Emir Abubakar Shekau. All factions and currents within the framework of Boko Haram have become so woven into the social fabric of Lake Chad that force measures alone are clearly not enough here.

Abubakar Shekau lurks in Sambisa forest

Boko Haram's historic core led by cruel, unpredictable and unrelenting preacher Abubakar Shekau takes refuge in his den - Sambis forest, from time to time reminds of itself by terrorist attacks and does not make any compromises with its own takfirist course Shekau's supporters continue to use children and female suicide bombers, enslave Muslim women and exterminate all fellow believers who do not want to abandon everything and move to his "island of faith." Amid an internal crisis in ZAPIG command structures, the adamant Abubakar Shekau waits and probably wants to regain leadership in the Nigerian jihadist underground once again.

2016: Delimitation with ZAPIG

Since the demarcation in 2016, Boko Haram and Islamic State's West African Province (ZAPIG) have taken different paths. ZAPIG, committed to collegial leadership, flexible strategy and policy of hearts and minds, seeks to please the population and, in particular, the Middle East leadership of the Islamic State, winning columns in the weekly An-Naba, and since 2019 publishing its own magazine At-Tibian in Hausa.

2009: Rebellion and death of the head of the organization, Mohammed Yusuf, in prison

On July 26, 2009, the whole world first heard about the "Society of adherents to the spread of the teachings of the Prophet and Jihad." Then, on the night of July 26, armed raids took place on several police stations in Nigeria at once. It was revenge for the extrajudicial killings of young sectarians in the city of Bauchi.

From July 27 to August 1, 1,118 people were killed in Borno State according to official estimates alone. Among them was the head of the movement - the preacher Mohammed Yusuf, who died in prison under mysterious circumstances shortly after his arrest. After these events, the bloodless and demoralized sect went underground to regain strength and start a full-scale war with the Nigerian federal government a year later.

In 2013-2014. the flames of the war swept throughout northeastern Nigeria and spread to neighboring Niger, Chad and Cameroon.

2003: The Birth of the Movement in Nigeria

In early 2003, a small group of men, women and children settled in the village of Tarmova. Of the three logs and leaves, they erected a mosque, built huts and dug a well. Short-lived buildings swept the sands and winds, but the well still stands. To survive, sectarians began to be hired by neighboring farms, fishing and trading in local markets. They called their village dar al-Hijra, and themselves Muhajirs. The group did not want to associate themselves with life on the land of infidels and diligently prepared for the outcome. They did not annoy local residents, but they were very worried about the authorities. Therefore, once the sectarians withdrew from the place and went on.

On a Sunday evening on December 21, 2003, about 70 travelers reached another desert village - Kanamma. Having cleared the area between the two reservoirs, the group settled down for the night, and in the morning eleven people went to the village for shopping. Before returning, they walked around the homes of the villagers, telling them about the importance of leaving the deceptive temptations of "dirty worldly life" and joining the true believers who set their sights on building a "truly Islamic state." Their goal was no longer the outcome, but a real armed jihad. That same night, several sectarians, armed with machetes, bows and arrows, attacked a police post in Kanamma, killing the officer and seizing his rifle.

By January 1, 2004, police and military stormed the sect's fortified camp. But persistent rumors also spread about other secret and deserted camps and communities, and the newspaper's sensationalists started talking about exposing in Kanamma the sinister "Nigerian Taliban" associated with al-Qaeda and the global jihadist underground. Secret sects, movements, cells and radical communities folded and disintegrated in unpredictable metabolism, under the blows of police and internal friction. Boko Haram was born by accident, but the ground was ready for him.