Links to Al Qaeda

Boko Haram has claimed that they have links to Al Qaeda and other militant terrorist groups such as the one present in Somalia. This is possible as  Boko Haram's terrorism techniques of viral messages and suicide bombings affirms that they have been undoubtedly influenced by  Muslim fundamentalist groups around the globe such as Al Qaeda and the Taliban. This suggests that Boko Haram is indeed religiously motivated, however it is imperative to recognize the already existing poverty, education, and employment issues that may have compelled these individuals to take refuge alongside their Muslim brothers around the world. As learned in lecture, the Umma (Muslim community) is a community that extends beyond nation borders. These members have expressed the neglect they feel from the Nigerian government with its failure to provide. By accompanying their Muslim "freedom fighter" brothers, they feel a sense of strength and comfort.

" In Nigeria, the Sunni terrorist group Boko Haram2 (Jama’atu Ahlis
Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad/People Committed to the Propagation of the
Prophet’s Teachings and Jihad), founded by Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf in
Maiduguri in 2002, has become more and more involved with Al-Qaeda."(Krech 2011)

Krech, Hans. "The Growing Influence of Al-Qaeda on the African Continent." africa Spectrum. 46. no. 2 (2011): 125-137.