Boko haram is a fundamentalist jihad terrorist group located in Northeastern Nigeria. It was formed in 2002 in Maidiguru by the leader Mohammed Yusuf. The group's formal name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad which translates from Arabic, to "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophets Teaching and Jihad." The group was coined the name "Boko Haram" by the Maidiguru locals. The name Boko Haram is in the Hausa language, a language spoken by the Hausa people who are predominant and indigenous to Northeastern Nigeria. Boko Haram translates to "Western Education is Sacrilege" which as the name suggests, denounces the Western world. However given Nigeria's position as the most populous state in Africa, with over 300 ethnic groups, the uprising of this terrorist group is more of a direct result from inequality, economic disparity, ethnic tension as well as lack of development in the Northern region. These factors are all in many ways related to politics and corruption. Due to this Boko Haram and other radical Northerner supporters have demands for a better society which they insist Shariah Law implementation would provide. To understand this issue, one must fully understand the demographics of Nigeria. The country is divided by a underdeveloped Muslim North and more developed Christian South. An element unique to Nigeria, is the people can be tied to both an ethnic tribe and religion simultaneously. This issue proves to cause confusion when analyzing the violence in Nigeria because though the violence is perceived to be religiously affiliated it actually has underlying ethnic issues which is the crucial cause of such violence. The Muslims of the north are predominately apart of the Hausa ethnic tribe. Recent activities from the group has built upon already existing tensions now, creating tension also between Christians and Muslims. In addition, the lack of government to ensure the necessary social institutions in the North has resulted in a lack of faith from the Nigerian people. This has granted Boko Haram an opportunity to adopt an authoritative attitude in doing what they feel is necessary to attain all that the Nigerian government has failed to provide.
start at 9:18
end 12:49
BBC,
"Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists?." Last modified January
11,2012. Accessed April 1, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13809501.
Similar to many other Islamic fundamentalist groups, Yusuf supported the imposition of Shariah Law and opposed any elements of society that were derived from the Western world. This includes the practice of voting and democracy, wearing trousers and shirts, and most importantly secular education. Upon the creation of this jihadist group, Yusuf also built a mosque and Islamic school. Nigeria's lack of development impedes on the education of many children. This is due to the high fees that are unaffordable for the average citizen. The installation of Yusuf's school provided many Muslim children of poor families access to education. These families traveled great distances to ensure their children with the opportunity to attend Yusuf's school. Yusuf's school was centered around providing Islamic education, but more than that, it was centered around creating accessibility and equity by providing an education for the less fortunate. In this manner he was attempting to tackle the most pressing issue in Nigeria's underdevelopment. The issue that continuously leaves the youth uneducated, unemployed, and in despair in the North. Mohammed Yusuf was fully aware of the North's disadvantaged state, and it is on this knowledge that the Boko Haram group was formed.
BBC,
"Who are Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists?." Last modified January
11,2012. Accessed April 1, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13809501.
Through his school, Yusuf managed to recruit the youth to fight with him against the state. The state has failed to provide many of its citizens with their basic rights. A right to health, A right to an education, and a right to employment. The youth of Nigeria represent the citizens who most directly feel the wrath of an inadequate system, a system that has brought their advancement to a complete halt. Just graduating from universities, with degrees in engineering, medicine, law, etc., these youth are still left unemployed and unable to be active members of society. By Yusuf recruiting through his school, he is able to gather a tremendous amount of support as these youths are ready to overthrow a state that they believe has treated them so unjustly and is the cause of their current standstill.
Start: 2:07
End: 2:25
The restiveness among Nigerian youths and their ‘preferring the eloquence of violence’
(Babarinsa, 2003, p. 17) is a byproduct of many factors. First, there is the issue of marginalization
by the political elite, manifesting in unemployment, poverty, hunger and deprivation.
The British government’s Department for International Development (DFID) (2000) reports
that ‘poverty persists in Nigeria because of the historical and continuing mismanagement
of resources and corruption, particularly but not exclusively in the public sector’. For example,
members of a fundamentalist group called Boko Haram that struck in the northern part of
56 | Journal of Human Security, vol. 7, no. 1, 2011
the country in 2009 were reportedly drawn from disaffected youths—university students
and jobless graduates among them (Nigerian Compass, 2009, p. 3). (Ubhenin 2011)
This quote reiterates how the lack of social institutions and employment causes youths to be recruited into radical movements such as Boko Haram. This supports the idea that the rise of Boko Haram is due to frustrations with the government to not provide the Muslim North with adequate resources and overall failing to build a more developed North equal to that of the South.
Ubhenin, Oscar. "Youth Restiveness and Credible Alternatives to Violence in Nigeria." Journal of Human Security. 7. no. 1 (2011): 53-67.
Jul 26 2009 was the start of a series of Boko Haram attacks on police stations and other security forces in Maiduguri and other parts of the Northern region. This lead to a gunfight between the army and Boko haram members in the streets of Maiduguri. This left about 700 people of Maidaguru dead. On July 30 2009, the radical Islamist sect leader of Boko Haram, Mohammed Yusuf was captured and interrogated, then killed while in police custody. An enormous amount of controversy surrounded his death because it was initially reported that Yusuf was killed during the gunfight while another police claimed that he was the man who handed Yusuf over to the authorities while he was still alive. The above video is evidence of Yusuf in police custody. It is understood that Yusuf was executed by the police without any trial. This incidence further gave evidence of the state's illegitimacy and diminished the people's trust as the government was unable to initially reveal the whereabouts of Yusuf. The state believed that Boko haram had been successfully eliminated with the passing of its founder and leader.
Abubakar Shekau was the former deputy leader under Mohammed Yusuf and was believed to have died during the gunfight. However in 2010, he appeared in a video to the nation's surprise confirming that he was indeed shot but that he survived the wound and was now the new leader of Boko haram. Under his orders Boko Haram attaked a Maiduguri prison freeing hundreds of Boko Haram members and supporters.
The distribution of wealth in Nigeria is characterized by invariance. The people of the South are of higher socioeconomic class and have more available social institutions such as hospitals, schools, security enforcement etc. compared to the poorer South.
Start: 0:30
End: 1:06
Start: 7:33
End: 8:57
The beginning of the clip questions Boko Haram's claims that their movement is religion affiliated. Mohammed Umar attributes the Boko Haram's violence to the underdevelopment in and the lack of social structures in the North and in Nigeria overall.
Former President Umaru Yar' Adua was elected in 2007. Much controversy surrounded his election as it was believed to be rigged so that he may succeed the prior eight year President Olusegun Obasanjo. President Obasanjo supported Yar' Adua under the preconceived notion that he would be able to maintain some level of control through his successor. This emphasizes the prevalence of corruption in the Nigerian government and battles to stay in control for elongated periods of time. This pattern is seen again when controversy surrounding President Yar'Adua's health arise.
Yar' Adua's presidency was perturbed by his long-term cardiac illness. He left the country for three months to receive foreign treatment in Saudi Arabia. During this time, Vice President Goodluck Johnathan took position as "acting president, however he was not formally introduced, sparking an enormous amount of controversy in Nigeria. The citizens began to question the government on the whereabouts of their President Yar'Adua. The administration poorly informed the citizens of Yar' Adua's health in fear of evoking more chaos, instead they withheld details on both the state of Yar'Adua and the overall governance of Nigeria.
This video illustrates the confusion surrounding the whereabouts of President Yar'Adua. The comical attitude that is displayed in this video is the same attitude that the Nigerian citizens accused the President and his family over blogs, facebook, and other social media, that President Yar'Adua was already dead and they (the family) just wanted to continue "eating the money" and maintaining their high social status as the first family of the country. Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege assents to the assumption that the President's health was kept in secrecy: "Al Jazeera's Yvonne Ndege said the severity of his illness had been
shrouded in secrecy since he was airlifted out of Nigeria in November
2009 ("Alja" May 06, 2010)." The senator, Nuhu Aliyu alludes to the January phone call made by BBC news network to President Yar'Adua while he was receiving treatment. He questions Yar'Adua's actions saying, "Why BBC?", implying that the President should be addressing his own people first and foremost. He continues to stress that the government should be more informing towards its people and that it is morally right to do so and desist from keeping the people in the dark. Moreover, this video demonstrates the citizens lack of faith and trust in their government due to its history of deceitfulness and corruption. With the decreasing government dependance and yet increasing anger and distress, Boko Haram was able to take advantage of Nigeria's fragile state and consummate into country shaking movement.
Aljazeera,
"Alja." Last modified May,06,2010. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2010/05/20105523627997165.html.
The absence of the president provoked protests across the nation. In the beginning of the video, BBC speaks to Jamila Tangaza who defends the conference that President Yar' Adua held earlier, denying allegations that the voice from the teleconference was that of an imposter. The president;s decision to conceal the state of his health/presidency questions the legitimacy of Nigeria's claims to being a democratic state. It is a democratic nation that enables its citizens to elect a president on their own accord. It is the concealment of the president's health that revoked this right and liberty.
With the elections quickly approaching, Boko Haram attacks starting from the evening of 2010 became more frequent. The Boko Haram argues that they are fighting to impose Sharia Law in the north and become a separate country, however many of the citizens believe that the Boko Haram attacks are an attempt to interrupt the elections.
Yar'Adua had died on Wednesday May 9, 2010 in Abuja, Nigeria after returning from Saudi Arabia. At this time, President Goodluck Johnathan had already been formerly pronounced acting president. He was now to continue leading Nigeria until the April 2011 elections where he would be a presidential candidate. This began the reign of terror in Nigeria as pre-election and post-election violence erupted.
With the introduction of Shariah law in the Muslim North, there has been an almost clear divide within the nation. Despite the poorer development in the North, the north is also divided by a predominately Islam and Hausa and Fulani North. The implementation of Shariah law has increased more conflict as formations of radical groups like Boko Haram fight to transform Nigeria intp an Islamic state or separate from the rest of the nation to become its own separate nation. This is related to politics where the governors of many Northern states are in support of Sharia law and some are believed to be financing the terrorist organization. The conflict of separation becomes more complicated when considering Nigeria's oil based economy where oil the is concentrated in the Southeastern region, Niger Delta. The Federal Republic of Nigeria is a nation meant to be governed upon secular statutes. Boko Haram has been the root of violence and further ethnic conflict. In the establishment of this movement, radicals around Nigeria have began to act on the same ideologies. Another civil war has become an event of prospect and in some ways necessity for many of these radicals.
The Niger Delta is an oil rich region in Southeast Nigeria. Nigeria's oil based economy has provoked violence and uprisings in this region because the people of this region are not benefiting from the oil but the environment is being destroyed by the oil extraction. This extraction has created an immense amount of pollution and has forced families to abandon their subsistence farming. The Niger Delta militia has formed in response to the exploitation of this region. This militia recruited many youths of this region because : " With youth unemployment soaring in the Niger Delta and even university
graduates struggling to find work, recruitment by the militias is one of
the only way for young men to make their own way ("NIGERIA: No shortage of Niger Delta youth ready to join militias" )."
IRIN
Africa, "NIGERIA: No shortage of Niger Delta youth ready to join
militias." Accessed April 23, 2012.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report/76521/NIGERIA-No-shortage-of-Niger-Delta-youth-ready-to-join-militias.
During Yar'Adua's presidency he offered the Militia a 60-day amnesty in June of 2009. This amnesty asked the militia to put down their arms in exchange for the governments promise to install programs to develop and provide more programs for the community. Goodluck Johnathan is a native to this area and grew up fully understanding the conflicts that have deprived his people. At this time he was the vice president, and many people believe that he was the driving force that persuaded the Militia to demobilize. In the earlier video with Dr. Madu, he argues that the Niger Delta Militia agreed to lay down their arms because with the introduction of the new Vice President they now had an individual to represent them. This scenario can be compared to the uprising of the Boko Haram who mobilized after the death of Yar'Adua, losing their once sole representative.
Federal
Government of Nigeria, "About The Amnesty Program." Accessed April 20,
2012.
http://www.nigerdeltaamnesty.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=54&Itemid=55.
The election results reflect the relationship between candidate support and ethnic representation. President Goodluck Johnathan who is from the Bayelsa state received the greater number of votes. He was highly supported in the South except in Osun state where Ribadu had greater supporters. Muhammadu Buhari from Katsina State had full support from the Northern states of Nigeria. The citizens elect leaders that they believe will provide them with better social benefits and create a better infrastructure for their community. In order for citizens to acknowledge progress and development, they must be able to observe the transformation in their own communities. This is the incentive for most Nigerian citizens to vote for a candidate from their own region. Among the many different tribes, cultures, and languages, Nigerians want to vote for someone they can relate to, someone they believe will bring upon change in their own communities and advance their lives.
BBC,
"Nigeria: A Nation Divided." Last modified April 4,2011. Accessed April
21, 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12893448.
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) was established after the Nigerian Civil War to rebuild Nigeria. This program is a mandatory service required by all Nigerian youths after University education and before career employment. During the elections of April 2011, many of the youth corpers were stationed at election polls to help administer the polls and ensure that votes were not rigged or tampered with. The unrest in the North escalated as innocent corpers were killed and kidnapped. 9 corpers throughout the election were murdered, but many others survived with serious life threatening injuries/disfigurements. To members of the Boko Haram, these youths were agents and partners to the government, consequently their enemies. The numerous attacks on the corpers further solidifies Boko Haram's political motives and intentions to disturb the governance of Nigeria by making voting difficult and dangerous.
Obinna Okpikiri is an account of a NYSC corper burned to death by CPC fanatics. CPC is the party of Muhammed Buhari who was greatly supported by Muslim/Hausa/Fulani Northern Nigeria.The actions of radical CPC supporters led to the fall of Muhammed Buhari and accusations of him supporting Boko Haram. He was believed to have been financing the Boko Haram to interrupt the possibility of Goodluck Johnathan as president. Regardless of whether the accusations are indeed valid or not, the demonstrations by these CPC fanatics illustrates the ethnic conflicts that surrounded the elections.
These attacks eventually led to the evacuation of NYSC corpers from the Northern conflict areas.
Kolawale,
Simon. This Day Live, "Two Youth Corpers Murdered in Cold Blood while
on National Service." Last modified April 23 2011. Accessed April 20,
2012.
http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/two-youth-corpers-murdered-in-cold-blood-while-on-national-service/90142/.
Nigeria has had a long history of corruption, military coups, and rigged votes. After losing the election, Muhammadu Buhari challenged the validity of the votes accusing the Goodluck Johnathan's , People Democratics Party (PCP) of rigging votes. This sparked an onset of violence throughout Northern Nigeria as radical supporters attacked neighbors. This subjoined with the already existing violence in the North as outraged Buhari Hausa supporters began riots and attacked Christians and other ethnic tribe inhabitants. These events demonstrate the relationship between ethnicity and politics as the disappointed ethnic tribe resorted to violence. For this tribe it was eminent to have a Hausa president. This is the case for the other ethnic tribes as depicted in the earlier election result map which portrayed the people's allegiance to the appropriate ethnically related candidate. In a country like Nigeria, where various cultures are attempting to coexist and development is lacking, the people entreat on a representative that they can relate to and believe will provide them with resources past leaders have failed to do.
This video displays the gravity of the post-election violence.
Quote from a "supposed" former Boko Haram member:
" New York [RR] MAIDUGURI–RepublicReporters is in possession of an
exclusive interview by Sheik Sani Haliru (ex-Boko Haram member, now a
born again Christian) told reporters that he has close relationship with
Buhari and Mohammadu Yusuf. Sheik Sani Haliru said: “I have worked so
closely with Mohammadu Buahri for five years, and I can prove it that
General Buhari is the most notable outspoken jihadist hardliner in
Nigeria who is also strategically sponsoring Boko Haram."
(Rossquo Feb, 4, 2012)
The above clip stresses a threat made by one of Mohammed Buhari's campaign partners,Yinka Odumakin. In his threat, he stated that " if you change the vote of this people, you are looking for Tunisia, Egypt, and Yemen combined." He threatened that if Mohammed Buhari did not win their would be consequences for Nigeria similier to events that have taken place in Tunisia, Egypt and Yemen. Radical fundamentalist groups much like the Boko Haram of Nigeria, have wreaked havoc in these mentioned regions. These are nations that have also had a long history of government corruption. Odumakin's allusion to these events were conceived to be almost treasonous. By this statement he called into action supporters of Buhari to take to violence if the CPC party was not victorious in the end. The later quote is from a news article earlier this year claiming that Buhari is affiliated with the terrorist group Boko Haram. This is long after the post-election violence of 2011 yet Buhari is still a victim of social persuction and arraignment. This depicts both the gravity of the post election violence and the insecurity Nigerian possess for government officials.Although, these may all be accusation, these accusations do coincide with the thoughts of many Nigerians who believe Buhari is to blame for bloodhsed in the North. His allegations and offence towards the elections rallied hundreds of Hausa supporters to act in violence. As Buhari expressed the oprression he believed he faced from the election, so did his supporters. This caused suspiscion to grow among the Nigerian people on whether Buhari was indeed financing the militant hausa youths and Boko Haram. Especially now with the recent Boko Haram attacks, people suspect that he is supporting them out of revenge towards President Goodluck Johnathan.
The post-election controversy led up to the indictment of Gen. Mohammed Buhari: "The Presidential Committee on Post-Election Violence in parts of the
country, yesterday submitted its report stating that Congress for
Progressive Change, CPC, Presidential Candidate, Major General Muhammadu
Buhari’s provocative remarks played a role in the bloody violence that
led to the death of 10 members of the National Youth Service Corps,
NYSC, and hundreds of others after last April’s presidential polls."(Cole Jan, 25, 2011)
"The difficulty with Boko Haram is that the private compensation
negotiation is not going well because there are a number of political
players behind the group who are not necessarily at the table and who do
not think that it is in their interest to negotiate with the Nigerian
government. Until the government can cut off the political
entrepreneurs, it [a deal] is going to be difficult. "
(Adeba Jan,7,2012)
This quote above again describes Boko Haram's political affiliations and why the government has had enormous difficulty demobilizing them. Boko Haram's support from government officials has created strength within this radical group. Despite possible global financial supporters " there was financial support for the sect also from within Nigeria. Although many of them are not yet known, the support of Alhaji Buji Foi, a former commissioner in Borno State, is commonly acknowledged. There were also other speculated sponsors, from prominent religious leaders to businessmen from the North." (Adesoji 2010)
Adeba,
Brian. Africa Portal, "Social Disparities Fuel Boko Haram's Rise." Last
modified Jan,7,2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.africaportal.org/articles/2012/01/27/social-disparities-fuel-boko-harams-rise.
Adesoji, Abimbola. "The Boko Haram uprising and Islamic Revivalism in Nigeria." Africa Spectrum. 45. no. 2 (2010): 95-108.
Cole,
Juan. Alter Net, "Uprisings in Tunisia, Yemen, Egypt -- America Is
Paying the Price for Supporting Corrupt Dictatorships in the Muslim
World." Last modified Jan, 25, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.alternet.org/story/149672/uprisings_in_tunisia,_yemen,_egypt_--_america_is_paying_the_price_for_supporting_corrupt_dictatorships_in_the_muslim_world/.
Ndujihe,
Clifford. Vanguard, "Laloko still shocked, Onye blames Osaze, Mikel
Panic over another bomb blast rumours in Abuja Post-election violence:
FG panel report indicts Buhari." Last modified Oct, 11, 2011. Accessed
April 22, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/10/post-election-violence-fg-panel-report-indicts-buhari/.
Rossquo. Republic Report, "Exclusive: IBB, Buhari,Top CBN-Officials Are
Boko Haram Sponsors–Sheik Sani Haliru." Last modified Feb, 4, 2012.
Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.republicreport.com/exclusive-ibb-buharitop-cbn-officials-are-boko-haram-sponsors-sheik-sani-haliru/.
Violence was increasing before the 2010 Christmas Day bombing in Jos of 2010. Threats against the Christian ethnic groups in Plateau State continued to transpire.
Jan 17 2010, Christians were killed as Hausa Muslims stopped them on their way to church. The Christians accused the government of supporting these attacks from radical Hausa Muslims in the region because the officials did not ensure the security of the Christians.
The video discusses how the violence is increasing to portray the state government as "incompetent."
Start: 1:10
End: 5:15
The man in this video discusses the civil rights of other indigenous
ethnic tribes that are being infringed. He expresses that for the Hausa
tribe, they are allowed to drive "okadas" (taxi motorcycles), and
operate black markets while for the other ethnic tribes these actions
are banned. He then discusses that no individuals have been persecuted
by the government for the hate crimes against the various Christian ethnic
groups. The Christians ask for the resignation of the governor of Plateau State on the grounds that he is bias and not neutral. Later their
is a view of Vice president Goodluck Johnathan at the time questioning
the event. The man at the end of the clip describes the demographics of Jos and the various ethnic inhabitants it has. He emphasizes how this is the sole cause of the violence in Jos.
Stop: 4:04
Vice President Goodluck Johnathan responds to the Jan 2010 violence.This video emphasizes that the violence experienced by Jos inhabitants is a product of colonialism as Plateau state has had a history of violence because of ethnic conflict.
March 7 2010 Hausa nomadic hersdman attacked a Christian village. They claimed that they were attacking in vengeance for their own tribesman who had been killed and 200 cattle that were stolen. This event left about 500 people dead, most of the victims being innocent children.
The text that scrolls on the bottom of this video is in support of a separated Nigeria . The author alludes to colonialism and how colonialism has built a country unable to cooperate together due to cultural differences. He works to persuade viewers by suggesting that these issues are a result of ethnic clashes and a nation not meant to be unified but separated into exclusive ethnic related states. This portrays the extent to which ethnic conflicts are the underlying causes of the violence in Nigeria.
Village attack (EXTREMELY GRAPHIC):
The women of the village weep as they see their children who have been massacred. The Hausa/Fulani herdsman attacked this village with machetes.
Protests after Village attack:
These are Christians youths protesting in Jos after the March 7th massacre. They are chanting in broken english " We no go gree" meaning "They will not agree." They are also chanting "enough is enough." They are demonstrating their solidarity in their decision to stay in their home of Jos. They refuse to abandon their homes and admit to defeat in response to the pressures from the Muslim Hausa tribe to evacuate the North .
This video explains the ethnic conflicts that surround Nigerian politics. Dr. Madu implies that the presence of Boko Haram is not a result of religious oppression , but rather ethnic tension. He argues that Boko Haram is provoking violence to disturb Nigeria's security and evoke havoc. President Goodluck Johnathan's is a native to the South and of a different ethnic tribe. Nigeria's poor development has resulted in many of its citizens lacking simple social benefits and as mentioned before, the wealth in the country is unevenly distributed. The citizens from underrepresented regions lack resources because they do not have a sufficient number of representatives in the government. Dr. Madu argues that the North however has never been underrepresented and that the lack of resources is not due to under-representation but a lack of good governance from the previous leaders. He insists that Boko Haram is deliberately choosing to to not only oppose the Nigerian National government but more specifically the leadership of a dissimilar ethnic tribe found with the new President Goodluck Johnathan.
Jos is a city located in Platuea
State, a state located on the "middle belt" between Muslim North and
Christian South. The ethnic tension in this region is immense due to the
amalgamation of various ethnic tribes and religions. On Dec 25 2010,
Christmas day, three bomb blasts went off in Jos, killing over 60
people. Weeks leading up to this, there had been threats given by Boko
Haram and supporters of Christmas Day attacks. There had been prior
violence in the region with attacks on churches, as well as reprisal
attacks on mosques and other areas of public gatherings. Examining the
events, one may conclude that this a religious crusade. Undeniably
religion is involved , but with more scrutiny there lies ethnic and
political inducements. Islam is the clear personifying element that can
separate Muslim Hausas from the rest of the country. The Christian
religion can be affiliated with as many as 200 ethnic tribes in Nigeria,
however, "Hausa and Fulani" tribe is predominately affiliated with
Islam. The most inclusive way to describe this predicament is
"ethno-religous "conflicts driven by political gains. These fanatics
want to achieve an Islamic northern nation, and to do this there must be
an expulsion of ethnic tribes form the North and a battle against the
Nigerian government.
The
following month, there were accounts of NYSC Christian corpers who
worked for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) being
attacked and killed in Jos for administering voting registration forms.
These are all efforts to drive the Christian ethnic groups from these
Northern regions. The attacks on these corpers emphasizes the Hausa
fanatics and Boko Haram supporters political motives. It also depicts
the sort of mutiny that is being formed against the Nigerian government
by not complying with social duties such as voting. The bomb and NYSC
attacks are all efforts to drive these minority Christian ethnic groups
from the Northern regions.These fanatics hope to provoke enough chaos
and disruption in the the governing of Nigeria under the presumption
that this will finally grant them the opportunity to detach from the
Federal Republic of Nigeria and form their own nation.
Campbell,
John. Council on Foreign Relations, "More terror in Jos." Last modified
Jan, 20 2011. Accessed April 20, 2012.
http://blogs.cfr.org/campbell/2011/01/20/more-terror-in-jos/.
Nwanma,
Vincent. Bloomberg, "Christmas Bombs in Nigeria's Jos Kill 32 in Attack
Army Calls Terrorism." Last modified Dec 25, 2010. Accessed April 20,
2012.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2010-12-25/suspected-bomb-blasts-kill-at-least-20-in-nigeria-correct-.html.
There were many explosions that took place in the days leading up to the inauguration. President Goodluck Johnathan was inaugurated on May 29 2011. High security was in placed to ensure the safety of the President and all other officials due to ongoing threats from the Boko Haram terrorists. Hours after the inauguration, a bomb blast in Bauchi state went off, further increasing the countries state of emergency.
Despite the ongoing violence and threats, President Goodluck Johnathan's inauguration was carried out successfully. However, bomb blasts shook the country hours later. The political motives of Boko Haram became more evident as frequency of the violence increased as the inauguration date drew near.
Purefoy,
Christian. CNN WORLD, "Official: Bomb blast rocks northern Nigerian
city." Last modified May,29,2011. Accessed April 20, 2012.
http://articles.cnn.com/2011-05-29/world/nigeria.bomb_1_blast-rocks-bomb-blast-umaru-yar-adua?_s=PM:WORLD.
This suicide bombing attack created a surge of panic throughout Nigeria. Curfews were implemented and mosques and churches scheduled prayers and vigils. Days leading up to this attack the government had received warnings from Boko Haram, stating that they were going to increase the frequency and intensity of violence in the country.The attacks by Boko Haram had finally trickled down and reached the center and heart of Nigeria, the capital of Abuja. The country was now in a state of emergency as the security of Nigeria was now in question: "The BBC's Jonah Fisher in Lagos says that, for the Nigerian authorities,
the attack is an embarrassing strike at the very heart of their
security establishment." This alerted the Nigerian Government that the Boko Haram situation is becoming more pressing and that it will only worsen unless actions are taken.
("Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists 'bombed Abuja police HQ'" June 17,2011). Boko Haram took full responsibility for the attack : "We are responsible for the bomb attack on the police headquarters in
Abuja which was to prove a point to all those who doubt our capability."
("Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists 'bombed Abuja police HQ'" June 17,2011)
BBC,
"Nigeria's Boko Haram Islamists 'bombed Abuja police HQ'." Last
modified June 17,2011. Accessed April 19, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13805688.
On August 26, 2011, there was a car suicide bombing at the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria. 23 people were killed and many injured.
This bombing as suggested in the video was indeed an attack on the global community, but it was also a message of solidarity and noncompliance by Boko Haram to Goodluck Johnathan and his global supporters. Boko Haram revealed that they will not retreat, but instead will continue to fight regardless of the number.
Dec 25th 2011, only one year later , yet another attack on Christians by Boko Haram shook the nation. There were two explosions of churches, one in Abuja, and another Christmas day casualty for Jos. The first church St. Theresa, a catholic church in Madalla, Abuja. The second explosion, seconds later, was in close proximity to Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos, which almost immediately led to a shootout. Boko Haram took full responsibility of both these attacks. There were other planned attacks, however officials reached bomb sites on time to dismantle the explosives. This holy holiday was disrupted by tragedy and death. It led to gruesome reprisal attacks all over the country, especially in the North and middle-belt region, Jos. Thousands of Muslims fled the South in fear of reprisal attacks. Christians of non-indigenous tribes of the North did likewise to seek refuge in their respective native lands. Jobs and schools were abandoned as tension grew and people migrated to avoid violence. There was transportation provided for Northerners to flee as the counter-terrorist group leader Ogbunigwe Ndigbo warned "that all Northern Muslims in the South East should quit within two weeks
as their safety would not be guaranteed after the period, Hausa and
Fulani Muslims residing in the South East with members of their families."(Edike Jan 9,2012)
The Boko Haram spokesperson Abul Qaqa insisted that Muslims flee the South “we also wish to call on our fellow Muslims to come back to the north because we have evidence that they would be attacked" and administered a 3-day ultimatum to the Christians occupying Northern Nigeria, “We are also giving a three-day ultimatum to the southerners living in the northern part of Nigeria to move away.”("Boko Haram issues three-day ultimatum to christians" January 2, 2012)
After these attacks the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged all Muslims to wage the radical Islamic sect to stop these meaningless killings of innocent Christians, or the Christians will be forced to defend themselves and their children. This illustrates the increasing ethno-religious conflicts caused by Boko Haram. However these outcomes were the motivation for Boko Haram. They wished to provoke violence and to produce instability in the nation and so they did.
Stop: 1:20
Edike,
Toni. Vanguard, "Insecurity: Northerners flee S-East." Last modified
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Accompanying new development programs and installments of the New Year, President Goodluck Johnathon removed the fuel subsidy. This caused more tension and violence across Nigeria as the Boko Haram continued to terrorize the nation with shootings and bomb attacks. The Fuel subsidy removal doubled the costs of fuel from 65 naira (.26 cents) to 140 naira (.40cents) per liter. Citizens were outraged because the fuel subsidy made fuel fairly affordable for citizens of this developing nation. The Unions held a week long strike pressuring the government to revert back the fuel price to 64 naira per liter. As protests began, violence ensued. Many of these violent acts were committed against civilians by army officials who were instructed to control the demonstrations. An Islamic school was set ablaze in Benin City of Edo state, a southern state with a fairly large Muslim/Hausa population. Eight individuals were also gunned down in the North. Both events stemmed from the hostility surrounding the "ethno-religous" battles and subsidy protesting. For citizens this intensified their lack of faith in the Nigerian government as they faced violent attacks from the Nigerian army and were also subject to harsher living conditions with the rise of fuel.
On the other hand, for Boko Haram and radical supporters, this was the
appropriate time to plan attacks. Government officials were arguing amongst
each other as deliberations over reversing the fuel subsidy were
discussed. Many citizens were against President Goodluck
Johnathan as they continued to protest against the removal through
ongoing protest. As seen in the video above The president's decisions to instill army forces during the protests only created more violence. The man speaking indirectly refers to President Johnathan stating that " anybody who calls himself the president of Nigeria and is stopping people from entering Liberation Park...is an enemy of democracy." Liberation Park is where one of many protest was scheduled to take place, yet army soldiers came and interrupted demonstrations. This illustrates how during these protests, much of the nation was outraged with the Nigerian government specifically President Johnathan and his administration. With the already fragile state of the Nation, it is during this period that Boko Haram was able to carry out their greatest and most burdening attack, in Kano and frequent solidifying bombings that rang terror across Nigeria. There increasing provocation of terror further solidifies their political aims to disturb the Johnathan administration.
In the City of Benin, Edo Youth Coalition addressed their disappointment in the government for not ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. They also question the violence demonstrated against ethnic groups due to the fuel subsidy:
EYC condemn unequivocally the killings, maiming and burning of innocent people and their properties in Edo State under the guise of protest against the removal of fuel subsidy. We strongly feel that this conduct is barbaric, rancorous, criminal and unacceptable from a civilized society. Above all, it does not yield any GOOD fruit; it will only fuel hatred, revenge and anarchy in Edo State and Nigeria.
This despicable incidences and conducts beg the following questions: • What has the removal of fuel subsidy got to do with killings of innocent Muslims or Hausas in Edo State? • How will the burning of mosques or business premises belonging to the Hausas alleviate poverty in Edo State? • What has the innocent law abiding citizens got to do with Federal Government policy? • What has the burning of UNIBEN gate got to do with fuel subsidy?
These are misplaced aggressions, which must be condemned, denounced and rebuked by all law abiding citizens. Those who indulged in this acts are ill-informed and has brought the good name of Edo people in disrepute.
EYC also feels that the Nigeria Police Force and Edo State Government have failed in their collective duty to safeguard lives and properties in Edo State. In our view, the government should have taken all necessary steps and contingencies to anticipate, protect and secure all possible hotspots prior to today’s protest. We call on the Edo State House of Assembly to subpoena the State Police Command and Edo State Government to an emergency committee session to explain this dismal security breach and failure in our dear state.
EYC share the frustrations of millions of poor and underprivileged people in our state and country. We fully support the fundamental rights for a peaceful protest against unpopular government policy and measure. However, we are also duty bound to condemn unambiguously the unfortunate criminal acts which took place in Benin City today.
Incidence like this creates the necessity to have CCTV cameras at strategic locations throughout our state to help in the policing and maintenance of law and order. The law enforcement agencies must do all in their power to ensure that the culprits are found and subjected to the full weight of the law.
Long Live Edo Youth Congress Long Live Edo State Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria Public Relation TEAM
Similar to the #OccupyWallStreet movement, the Nigerian people began a series of #OccupyNigeria protests to oppose the wealth Oil and Fuel company owners that would benefit from the subsidy removal. This movement grew as Nigerians all over the Diaspora in places such as Washington D.C, Houston,TX, London, Toronto, and New York City etc. protested as well.
(Protesters at the Nigerian Embassy in D.C)
Despise towards President Goodluck Johnathan grew as he denounced the movement and wished to arrest #Occupy Nigeria activist leaders under the precinct that they were the source of new and more arising violence in Nigeria. ("Occupy Nigeria: Jonathan Orders Arrest Of Femi Falana, Tunde Bakare, Dino Melaye And Shehu Sani" Jan 15, 2012)
Protester shot to death by Nigerian Police during protests in Illorin.
Muyideen Mustafa was the first victim of the protests. ("Muyideen Mustafa, Occupy Nigeria's First Casualty" Jan 04, 2012)
This video shows well known Sahara Reporter journalist, Soware Omoyele interrupting a meeting with the Minister of State. He is angered by the recent killings of civilians during declared non-violent protests and during such a crisis the Minister of State arrives late to the meeting. Omoyele is disturbed by the Minister of State's casualness towards the transpiring conflicts in Nigeria. He repeatedly screams "That we're not going to wait anymore, we're tired of waiting!" This again demonstrates the impact that the events occurring in Nigeria had on Nigerians all over the world and the challenges that the government was facing from various individuals and groups in addition to Boko Haram.
Despite the ongoing catastrophes from Boko Haram attacks and tension from the subsidy, individuals, specifically youths, still instill hopes of a unified Nigeria through demonstrations of coexistence, peace, and solidarity:
Christians surround the praying Muslims and remain vigilant for incoming government officials or other forms of violence during protests in Abuja despite recent Christmas day bombing in earlier December.
The same display occurred in the city of Kano despite the recent massive attack by Boko Haram.
Start: 2:20
In this clip, Muslims and Christians join forces to oppose the Fuel subsidy removal as a Hausa Muslim speaker denounces affiliations with the Islamic radical group as well as the terrorist acts carried out by the group. The different ethnic tribes join hands as they continue down the street repeating protest chants in the Hausa language.
These demonstrations counteract the intentions of Boko Haram to disrupt the structure and peace of Nigeria. These events stand as a testimony that Nigeria's "ethno-religious" tribes can coincide and cooperate to achieve and demand political gains without resorting to violence.
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To facilitate the Nigerian civilians through the transition of the fuel subsidy removal, President Goodluck Johnathan commissions about 1,100 buses. This was to help combat the transportation difficulties many Nigerians faced due to the new high fuel prices. This bus program demonstrates President Goodluck Johnathan's unyielding will to restore peace in Nigeria and to provide better resources for his citizens.
Boko Haram had given numerous warnings for members to be released from government custody. They threatened that if Kano failed to comply with their demands, there would be ruthless attacks on the city. They claimed that letters were sent to officials including the Emir of Kano (religious/traditional leader) and open letter addressed to the public, warning that "persecution" of their members should stop. The reasons as to why they carried out these attacks were revealed during a telephone interview with spokesperson Abul Qaqa by news reporters. All attacks were targeted at state government buildings and reiterating their disapproval and opposition to Johnathan's presidency.
Ndahi,
Marama. Vanguard, "Why we attacked kano-Boko Haram." Last modified Jan
22, 2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/why-we-attacked-kano-boko-haram/.
Following the attacks on Kano that left more than 150 dead, President Goodluck Johnathan traveled to the palace in Kano to grant his condolences to the Hausa and Fulani people's religious/traditional leader, the Emir of Kano. The emir began to weep during his speech as he was swept by sadness when recalled the horrific events that left many of his people dead.
In the video the president states "There's some element in our society who have decided to create havoc to retard us, God willing they will never succeed."Johnathan makes reference to Boko Haram's ill intentions to disturb the peace in Nigeria and make the state "ungovernable." The president ended his speech by saying "
“We call on the Almighty Allah to encourage them [people of Kano] and provide for them," through this statement the Christian President Johnathan highlighted that despite the recent violent crisis, there is still hope for a unified Nigeria. ("Emir of Kano weeps as Jonathan visits.", January 23, 2012)
Later the president visited one of the blast sites, State Security Services headquarters.
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