Boko Haram, officially known as “Jama‘atu Ahl as-Sunnah li-Da‘awati wal-Jihad” (JASDJ), is a Nigeria-based extremist group with a long history of violence and insurgency. The group, colloquially referred to as Boko Haram, aims to overthrow the Nigerian government and establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law.
Founded in the late 1990s, Boko Haram gained international notoriety for its brutal tactics and extremist ideology. The group’s name, which translates to “Western education is forbidden,” reflects its opposition to Western influence and education.
In July 2009, Boko Haram suffered a significant setback when clashes with Nigerian government forces resulted in the death of hundreds of its members, including its former leader, Muhammad Yusuf. Following Yusuf’s death, Abubakar Shekau emerged as the group’s leader and has since been at the forefront of its violent campaign.
Under Shekau’s leadership, Boko Haram has demonstrated increasing operational capabilities, including the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), vehicle-borne IEDs (VBIEDs), and suicide attacks targeting a range of civilian and government targets.
The group’s violence escalated in 2014, with near-daily attacks targeting Christians, security forces, schools, and civilians perceived as collaborators. Boko Haram’s actions, including the abduction of 276 schoolgirls in Borno State in April 2014, sparked international condemnation and prompted a regional counterterrorism offensive against the group.
Despite significant military efforts to combat Boko Haram, the group remains resilient and continues to pose a threat to stability in Nigeria and neighboring countries. Boko Haram’s pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in 2015 further underscored its international ambitions and connections to global terrorist networks.
In recognition of its terrorist activities, the United States designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in November 2013. This designation reflects the group’s role in promoting violence and instability in the region and underscores the need for continued efforts to counter its influence and activities.
