#Boko-haram

#Boko_Haram: Type of Organization: non-state actor; terrorist; violent. Ideologies & Affiliations: Islamist; Sunni Place of Origin: Maiduguri, Nigeria Year of Origin: 2002 Founder(s): Mohammed Yusuf Places of Operation: Primarily Nigeria (particularly in the states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa) as well as Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and Benin OVERVIEWKEY LEADERSHISTORYVIOLENT HISTORYDESIGNAT IONSASSOCIATIONSMEDIA COVERAGERHETORIC OVERVIEWKEY LEADERSHISTORYVIOLENT HISTORYDESIGNAT IONSASSOCIATIONSMEDIA COVERAGERHETORIC #Overview. Doctrine: Boko Haram is a radical Sunni Islamic sect, originally calling itself Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnar Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad, which broadly translates to “people committed to the propagation of the Prophet’s teachings and jihad.”* The group’s more widely known name is Boko Haram, which means “Western education is sin,” and was a nickname given by locals based on the group’s strong rejection of Western education as corrupt. The founder of the group, Mohammed Yusuf, was a trained Salafist and follower of Ibn Taymiyya, a 14th century scholar who preached Islamic fundamentalism.* Boko Haram aims to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria, including the establishment of Sharia courts. However, the group is highly decentralised and not all fighters of the group necessarily follow Salafi doctrine, with many soldiers being poor, uneducated youth. Some claim to be part of a Shiite Muslim group and to have trained in Iran, while others were allegedly involved in other conflicts in Nigeria and the Sahel.* While originally non-violent and preaching a doctrine of withdrawal from what they perceived as a corrupt Nigerian state, Boko Haram increasingly engaged in confrontations with security forces over local disputes and became more radical and violent. Since 2009, the group has carried out increasingly deadly attacks on a wide range of targets. However, despite apparent links to international terrorist organizations, particularly al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM),* many of the group’s grievances are motivated by failures of local governance, sectarian tensions between Christian and Muslims, and large economic disparity in Nigeria. Some analysts have suggested that in recent years, the group has increasingly fragmented with some factions seeking to build stronger links with international terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda franchises in order to build a more regional influence while other sections want to maintain the group's exclusively domestic focus with the aim of establishing a Islamic state in Nigeria.* Organizational Structure: Since the 2009 violent police purge of the group, Boko Haram has remained underground, and little is known about its leadership or organizational structure. Statements by the group have emerged from two spokespersons using the pseudonyms “Abu Zaid” and “Abu Qaqa.” Their identities are unknown but they have participated in phone interviews and communicated statements to journalists. Since 2010, Abubakar Shekau emerged as the new leader of the group and has appeared in several videos linking Boko Haram to attacks.* Although the exact leadership structure of the group is unclear, Khalid al- Barnawi and Mamman Nur also appear to take leading roles within the organization.* Allegedly, cell leaders communicate Shekau’s orders to Boko Haram soldiers, but often even those cell leaders have no direct contact with Shekau.* Boko Haram is not a monolithic organization and has a highly decentralized leadership structure, unified by a common ideology and the experience of local grievances. Its core militant group allegedly comprises several hundred soldiers but it apparently also draws on a broader supporting group of several thousand young men mainly motivated by lack of jobs, the heavy-handed response of security services, and other local grievances.* In early 2012, a splinter group of Boko Haram emerged, calling itself Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan (“Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa”) or simply Ansaru. The group, which is allegedly led by Khalid Al-Barnawi, criticised Boko Haram’s treatment of Muslims.* Some analysts suggest that Ansaru now functions as an “external operations unit” of Boko Haram outside Nigeria, separating Ansaru and Boko Haram in order to avoid conflict between them.* Direct and Indirect Sources of Financial Support: Boko Haram’s exact funding streams remain unclear as the group largely operates outside the banking system. It appears that Boko Haram relies on a combination of local funding sources and lucrative criminal activity, particularly kidnapping for random, which apparently is the group’s main source of funding, to the tune of millions of dollars annually. U.S. officials estimate that Boko Haram receives approximately $1 million for the kidnapping and release of each wealthy Nigerian.* Additionally, Boko Haram finances itself by bank robberies, protection money from local governors, and alleged foreign donations (such as Britain's Al-Muntada Trust Fund and Saudi Arabia's Islamic World Society).* It is suspected that Boko Haram receives funding from local religious sympathisers and individuals opposing the Nigerian government, but hard evidence for this suspicion is lacking thus far. The group receives limited funding from al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, but that support has little impact on Boko Haram’s overall funding. Boko Haram’s financial relationship with other extremist groups appears limited.* Some security analysts have noted that Boko Haram is less reliant on large funding streams because it generally does not purchase sophisticated weapons and runs very low-cost operations. Many of the weapons at its disposal were stolen from the Nigerian military.* According to U.S. officials, the tools at the disposal of the U.S. government, which worked very effectively in targeting the financing of other terrorist organizations, have not been effective in curbing Boko Haram’s funding streams.* Key Leaders Abubakar Shekau Current leader and public face of Boko Haram Mamman Nur Cameroonian and Boko Haram leader with significant contacts to international terrorist organizations Khalid Al-Barnawi Allegedly leading the Boko Haram splinter group Ansaru Kabiru Umar Former governor of Sokoto State in the hierarchy of the Boko Haram group Abubakar Adam Kambar Deceased: Allegedly was in contact with Osama bin Laden Momodu Bam Deceased: Specialist in manning anti-aircraft guns; described as second-in command of Boko Haram Habibu Bama Deceased: Cell leader who masterminded 2011 Christmas Day attack on Christian churches Abu Muhammed Deceased: Trainee of Khalid al-Barnawi; masterminded Northern Nigeria’s first terrorism-related kidnapping of foreigners History STILL WAITING ON GOOGLE DOCS, TRYING AGAIN 0 Violent History Violent Activities: Given the fluid security situation in northern Nigeria, assessing and attributing the violent attacks carried out by Boko Haram has been challenging. Not only do media reports differ over number of casualties but analysts have also pointed out that some of the attacks attributed to Boko Haram may also have been carried out by criminal gangs using the cover of Boko Haram. The following timeline of violent activity should be read against this background. December 2003: Attack on a number of police stations in Kanamma, Yobe state by a group then referred to as the Nigerian Taliban. Some of its members later went on to become members of Boko Haram.* April 2007: Assassination of Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmoud Adam, a prominent, popular cleric and regular preacher at the Ndimi mosque in Maiduguri shortly before the 2007 presidential election.* July 2009: Boko Haram members set churches, a police station, and a prison on fire in Maiduguri, killing hundreds.* The government responds by arresting 700 Boko Haram members and laying siege to the mosque in Maiduguri. In response, Boko Haram members begin to indiscriminately kill police officers and civilians. After regaining control of the town, the police and military crack down on the group, allegedly killing hundreds of Boko Haram members, including Yusuf (who dies in police custody).* 2010: Boko Haram members return to Maiduguri, instigating attacks against police stations and military barracks to avenge the killing of Yusuf. The group also attacks a local jail, freeing prisoners, and begins attacks against Christians, critical Muslim clerics, suspected collaborators, UN agencies, bars, and schools. Initial attacks mainly constitute of shootings.* December 24-28, 2010: Boko Haram claims responsibility for a twin bombing in Jos, a city in central Nigeria, killing at least 38 people on Christmas Eve. On the same day, two bombs also go off in two churches in Maiduguri. * December 31, 2010: The group sets off a bomb near barracks in Abuja on New Year's Eve, killing at least 4 people.* June 16, 2011: In the first suicide bombing in Nigerian history and the first such attack by Boko Haram, a suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at the Nigerian police’s headquarters in Abuja, killing between six and eight people. The attack marks a new degree of sophistication in the way it is carried out.* August 26, 2011: A suicide car bombing of the UN building in Abuja kills at least 21 people and injures dozens.* Boko Haram claims responsibility for the attack, the group’s first strike on a foreign target.* Some security analysts claim that the sophisticated execution of the attacks hints to support from transnational terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).* November 4, 2011: Boko Haram attacks a number of targets in Yobo, Damaturu and Borno states, targeting security forces and their offices, markets and 11 churches. At least 100 people are killed.* November 15, 2011: A police vehicle within the motorcade of the Borno state governor, Kashim Shettima, is attacked with a bomb in Maiduguri.* December 2011: Boko Haram instigates a number of bomb attacks across Nigeria on Christmas Day including at St Theresa's church in Madalla, a church in the city of Jos, three attacks in northern Yobe state and two attacks in town of Damaturu and Gadaka.* April 26, 2012: Boko Haram bombs the offices of the newspaper ThisDay.* February 19, 2013: Boko Haram carries out its first cross-border operation and first kidnapping,* taking hostage a French family of seven in Cameroon.* The family is later released, reportedly in exchange for ransom, though the French and Cameroonian governments deny paying one. May 7, 2013: About 200 armed Boko Haram fighters storm a police station, military barracks, and government buildings in Bama, killing 55 and freeing 105 prisoners. The BBC reports that “The fighters reportedly launched the attack in armored vehicles mounted with machine guns… [suggesting] that they are becoming better-resourced and they can adapt to the changing terrain.”* September 19, 2013: Boko Haram militants attacked city of Benisheik in Borno state, killing at least 87 people.* September 29, 2013: Boko Haram gunmen attack agricultural school in Yobe, killing 50 male students.* April 14, 2014: Twin bomb attack claimed by Boko Haram at Abuja bus station kills more than 70 people.* April 14, 2014: Boko Haram kidnaps more than 200 girls from a school in the northern town of Chibok in Borno state, triggering international condemnation and viral social media demands to “Bring Back Our Girls.”* May 2, 2014: A car bomb explodes on a busy rode in Abuja, killing at least 19. The attack happened days before Nigeria was due to host the World Economic Forum on Africa.* May 5, 2014: Boko Haram militants kill more than 300 residents in the town of Gamboru Ngala.* May 20, 2014: Twin bomb attacks in Jos kills at least 118 people.* May 21, 2014: Boko Haram gunmen kill at least 27 people in towns Sharwa and Alagano.* June 25, 2014: Twin bomb attacks in Abuja and Lagos kill at least 22 people. Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for the attack in both cities. If true, this would be the first attack by Islamist militants in Lagos.* July 19, 2014: Members of Boko Haram attack the village of Abbas Gava in northeastern Nigeria.* July 23, 2014: Two suicide attacks in Kaduna kill 82 people. One of the attacks was aimed at opposition leader and ex-president Muhammadu Buhari. It is widely suspected that Boko Haram is responsible for the attacks.* There was widespread speculation in the Nigerian media that the attack was an indication of Boko Haram’s strategy to further destabilize Nigeria. July 28, 2014: Boko Haram members kidnap the wife of Amadou Ali, Cameroon’s vice prime minister and one of the country’s most visible political figures.* July 30, 2014: A female suicide bomber blows herself up in the city of Kano killing 6. This is the third suicide attack carried out by a female suicide bomber. According to security analysts, it is not clear whether the group is recruiting female bombers or forcing kidnapped girls to carry out suicide missions.* August 6, 2014: Boko Haram seizes the town of Gwoza in Borno state, killing 100.* August 11, 2014: Boko Haram kidnaps at least 97 men and boys and kills 28 people, and injures 27 others, in a raid on villages in Borno state.* August 12, 2014: Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians flee attacks from Boko Haram in the north east of Nigeria. Multinational agencies have said they are now sheltering more than 40,000 people.* August 21, 2014: Boko Haram seizes a riot police training academy in northern Nigeria, driving out recruits.* August 21, 2014: Boko Haram seizes another town, Buni Yadi in Yobe state, reflecting an apparent strategic shift toward taking and holding territory in order to achieve its goal of establishing an Islamist state.* September 2, 2014: Boko Haram attacks and attempts to seize the town of Bama in northeast Nigeria. Nigerian Military officials are able to repel the attack and kill 70 Boko Haram fighters, but the group returns the next day and succeeds in seizing the town.* September 6, 2014: Boko Haram militants attack the town of Gulak near the Cameroon border. Eyewitnesses state that the fighters “went from house to house shooting people.”* September 18, 2014: Boko Haram suicide bombers kill 15 people at a Nigerian teachers’ college. The bombers open fire at students and then detonate explosives in a crowded lecture hall.* September 20, 2014: Boko Haram kills four civilians in Cameroon. Over 40,000 Nigerians have fled to Cameroon in order to escape Boko Haram.* September 25, 2014: Boko Haram kills 18 people in an attack in Shaffa, Nigeria.* October 18, 2014: Boko Haram attacks the village of Dzur, killing at least eight.* Gunmen also abduct around 60 Nigerians from a village bordering Cameroon.* October 22, 2014: Boko Haram is suspected to be behind a bomb that exploded at a bus station in northern Nigeria, killing at least five and wounding 12.* October 23, 2014: Suspected Boko Haram militants kidnap at least 25 girls from a town in northeastern Nigeria.* October 31, 2014: A car bomb kills at least 10 at a bus stop in northeastern Nigeria.* November 2, 2014: Militants armed with guns and explosives attack Koton Karfe prison in central Kogi state, freeing 144 inmates. Boko Haram is linked to the attack.* November 3, 2014: A suicide attack in the northeast Nigerian town of Potiskum kills 29 at a Shiite ceremony. Authorities hold Boko Haram accountable.* November 6, 2014: Boko Haram militants raid Ashaka cement factory and steal dynamite from its quarry.* November 7, 2014: A suicide bomber suspected of belonging to Boko Haram kills at least 7 people outside of a bank in northeast Nigeria.* November 10, 2014: A Boko Haram suicide bomber disguised in a school uniform sets off explosives at a high school in northern Nigeria, killing 48 students and wounding 79.* November 14, 2014: Boko Haram insurgents recapture the town of Chibok in northeastern Nigeria, where nearly 300 girls were abducted seven months prior. The militants entered the town “shooting from pickup trucks and motorcycles,” forcing thousands to flee.* November 21, 2014: At least 45 people are “slaughtered” by Boko Haram militants in an attack. The attack is believed to be in retaliation to an incident two days prior in which soldiers shot four of the group’s members. According to an eyewitness, the militants “tied peoples' hands behind their backs and slit their throats like animals.”* November 23, 2014: Boko Haram militants murder 48 fish vendors in northeastern Nigeria. Some victims’ throats are slit, while others are tied up and drowned in Lake Chad. News regarding the attack was slow to surface because Boko Haram militants had destroyed cell towers in the area in previous attacks.* November 24, 2014: At 09:00 Nigerian time, Boko Haram insurgents flood the town of Damasak in northeast Nigeria, killing an unknown number of people. An eyewitness says that the militants “fired shots into the houses to force people out… many people have died.”* November 25, 2014: Two female suicide bombers belonging to Boko Haram kill 44 people in an attack in the northeastern city of Maiuguri. The first attacker detonated her bomb, killing three women. When rescuers rushed to the scene, the second girl set off her explosives, killing dozens more.* November 26, 2014: Boko Haram insurgents attack two villages bordering the town of Chibok, where nearly 300 schoolgirls were kidnapped in April 2014. The attack leaves more than 20 dead, and left nearly all the houses in the villages “burnt to ash.”* November 27, 2014: An attack at a northeast Nigerian bus station—purportedly carried out by Boko Haram militants—kills 40 people including five soldiers.* November 28, 2014: Gunmen purportedly belonging to Boko Haram set off three bombs and open fire on worshippers at a mosque in northern Nigeria’s biggest city, Kano. The attack kills at least 81 people.* November 30, 2014: Boko Haram militants raid a mostly Christian town in northeast Nigeria after nightfall, killing “scores” of people. Eyewitness accounts tell of 30 men riding into the town on motorcycles throwing bombs into houses and shooting the people who flee.* December 1, 2014: Boko Haram militants launch an attack on government, police and military buildings in Damaturu. The attack involves two female suicide bombers detonating bombs at the central Maiduguri market.* December 10, 2014: Boko Haram dispatch two female suicide bombers at a textile market in the city of Kano, killing 6.* December 11, 2014: Boko Haram claim responsibility for twin bombs that explode in the city of Jos, in central Nigeria, killing 31.* December 13, 2014: Boko Haram fighters kill 35 people and kidnap about 185 others in a remote farming village in northeastern Nigeria called Gumsuri.* December 18, 2014: A suspected Boko Haram militant kills 32 and kidnaps 172 women and children during a raid in Northeastern Nigeria.* December 21, 2014: Boko Haram releases a video of its militants killing civilians. They explain that the individuals are being killed because “they are infidels.” In the video, the leader states, “from now, killing, slaughtering, destructions and bombing will be our religious duty anywhere we invade.”* December 22, 2014: Boko Haram is responsible for a bomb that goes off in a bus station near Gombe city, Nigeria. At least 20 people were killed.* December 30, 2014: 15 people are killed after Boko Haram militants open fire in Kautikari, a town near the Cameroonian border.* December 31, 2014: Gunmen suspected of belonging to Boko Haram kidnap 40 young men and boys, mostly between the ages of 15 and 23, from the village of Malari in northeastern Nigeria.* January 1, 2015: Boko Haram militants attack a bus in northern Cameroon, killing at least 15 people.* January 3, 2015: Boko Haram fighters take control of the northeast Nigerian town of Baga and a nearby military base. Hundreds of civilians are killed in the ensuing days.* Baga hosts the headquarters of a multinational force from Niger, Nigeria, Chad, and Cameroon.* January 4, 2015: Boko Haram announces it has captured the northeastern Nigerian town of Baga. During its weekend raid Boko Haram destroys about 620 buildings in Baga and more than 3,100 in neighboring Doron Baga, according to Amnesty International.* Reports later surface that Boko Haram killed 2,000 people during its capture of Baga.* The Nigerian government later says only 150 people, including militants, actually died, but Amnesty International says the death toll is much higher than the official numbers.* January 5, 2015: Boko Haram uploads a video to YouTube of its leader, Abubakar Shekau, threatening to overrun Cameroon unless it throws out its constitution and embraces Islam.* January 6-7, 2015: Boko Haram raids in Baga leave dozens dead after militants burn homes and buildings while indiscriminately shooting people.* January 10, 2015: The Nigerian military repels Boko Haram fighters trying to capture Damaturu, a major northeastern town.* January 10, 2015: A girl of around 10 years of age with a bomb strapped to her blows herself up in a market in the city of Maiduguri. At least 16 people are killed and more than 20 are injured.* January 11, 2015: A pair of child suicide bombers, both around 10 years old, blow up in an open-air market in Potiskum in Yobe state, killing at least three people. * The children are suspected to be part of the group of 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram in April 2014.* January 12, 2015: Boko Haram forces cross over from Nigeria into neighboring Cameroon and attack a military camp in Kolofata. The Cameroonian military repels the attack, killing 143 militants, according to the government. At least one Cameroonian soldier dies in the fight.* January 13, 2015: At least two people are killed and 14 wounded in a suicide attack outside of a mosque in the state of Gombe. Boko Haram does not immediately claim responsibility, although Gombe is just outside its main area of operations.* January 14, 2015: The Nigerian army pushes back a Boko Haram attack in the town of Biu in the state of Borno.* Designations Designations by U.S. government: . . go here:http://shar.es/1WXy4A.