Boko Haram’s Presence In Nigeria

Abubakar Shekau, leader of the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, has recently appeared in a video claiming that his fighters are safe and officially refutes Nigeria’s President and army’s claims of victory. Shekau challenged the claim that the armed group had been flushed out from its last stronghold in the Sambisa forest, and has pledged to continue fighting until an Islamist state is imposed in Northern Nigeria. The displacement of Nigerian citizens increases as the conflict between the armed forces and the Nigerian government continues to develop.

Since May 2013, a total of 2.3 million people have been displaced, and at least a quarter of a million have fled to neighbouring countries, such as Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, as a result of the conflict. Various sources, including Amnesty International and the US, have recorded the strength of Boko Haram to be anywhere between 4,000 and 15,000. Heightened conflict in 2014 led to over 6,000 deaths, as well as a mass abduction, which resulted in the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok. “We are on top of the situation, and all hands are still on deck. This defeat is final and Boko Haram will not spread to other parts of West Africa,” says Nigerian army commander, Victor Ezugwu, in lieu of capturing the Sambisa forest.

Founded in 2002, the terrorist group experienced a resurgence following a mass prison break in 2010, which led to increasingly sophisticated attacks. By 2011, these attacks included suicide bombings of police buildings and United Nations offices. The Nigerian government promptly established a state of emergency to extend between 2012 and the following year, which unexpectedly led to an increase in both security force abuse, as well as militant attacks. Attempts to allay the unrest within the country have been countered by the corruption in the security services and abuse of human rights. To date, the Boko Haram have continued to fuel the conflict with the government and bring violence to the Nigerian citizens.

The Boko Haram have made numerous attempts to force out the Nigerian army from certain territories in Northern Nigeria. This has led to the displacement of thousands of civilians, as well as countless casualties as the conflict began to spread out into villages and civilian zones. The Nigerian army has reassured the media, multiple times, about their success in resisting Boko Haram’s efforts to instate an Islamic state in their country. To date, the terrorist army has been forced into a defensive position, allowing the government to provide temporary relief and peace to its citizens.

Humanitarian organizations have expressed their interest in providing assistance to the displaced civilians in Nigeria. The conflict between the government and Boko Haram has prevented any significant aid and support to be delivered to those injured in the skirmishes. Nevertheless, the various organizations are actively considering options that will allow them to safely delegate medical resources and basic supplies. A tremendous effort is being made by the government to resolve the conflict with as little violence and force as possible, although the Nigerian army has been forced to retaliate to Boko Haram’s aggression in order to reduce civilian casualties. Many are confident in the government’s ability to restore peace to Nigeria.

Related