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
Jan 9,2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/insecurity-northerners-flee-s-east/.
IRNG,
"Xmas Day Bombings: Christian Association Of Nigeria Threatens Reprisal
Attacks On Muslims…As ACF Condemns Boko Haram Killings." Last modified
Dec 26, 2011. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://ireports-ng.com/2011/12/26/xmas-day-bombings-christian-association-of-nigeria-threatens-reprisal-attacks-on-muslims-as-acf-condemns-boko-haram-killings/.
BBC,
"Nigeria churches hit by blasts during Christmas prayers." Last
modified Dec 21, 2011. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16328940.
Vanguard,
"Boko Haram issues three-day ultimatum to christians." Last modified
January 2, 2012. Accessed April 25, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/boko-haram-spokesman-threatens-christians-troops/.
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.
Aljazeera,
"Deaths in Nigeria as tensions sharpen ." Last modified Jan 11, 2012.
Accessed April 20, 2012.
http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/01/20121102242998110.html.
BBC,
"Nigeria fuel subsidy: Unions announce indefinite strike." Last
modified Jan 4, 2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-16415253.
Sahara
Reports, "Occupy Nigeria: Jonathan Orders Arrest Of Femi Falana, Tunde
Bakare, Dino Melaye And Shehu Sani." Last modified Jan 15, 2012.
Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://saharareporters.com/news-page/occupy-nigeria-jonathan-orders-arrest-femi-falana-tunde-bakare-dino-melaye-and-shehu-sanni.
Transparency
for Nigeria, "Muyideen Mustafa, Occupy Nigeria's First Casualty." Last
modified Jan 04, 2012. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://transparencyng.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6132:muyideen-mustafa-occupy-nigerias-first-casualty&catid=89:national-security&Itemid=131.
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.
Ogala,
Emmanuel. Premium Times, "Emir of Kano weeps over Boko Haram attacks."
Last modified Jan 22,2012. Accessed April 23, 2012.
http://premiumtimesng.com/news/3541-emir-of-kano-weeps-over-boko_haram-attacks.html.
Ojeme,
Victoria. Vanguard, "Emir of Kano weeps as Jonathan visits." Last
modified Jan 23, 2012. Accessed April 24, 2012.
http://www.vanguardngr.com/2012/01/emir-of-kano-weeps-as-jonathan-visits/
These are both video messages addressed to President Goodluck Johnathan and the CAN (Christian Association of Nigeria) president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, from the Leader of Boko Haram, Malam Abubakar Shekau.
First Video:
Translation: ''Greetings to you and greetings to fellow Muslims and thanks be
to God. This is a message to Goodluck and to the Can president.
Alhamdullahi, we are known as Jamatu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-jihad
which some people derogatory term as Boko Haram. We have said all that
needs to be said and everyone has seen what the security personnel have
done to us. Everyone has seen why we are fighting with them.
We hardly touch anybody except security personnel and Christians and
those who have betrayed us. Everyone knows what Christians did to Muslims, not once or twice. Why I've come out to explain myself is
because of the explanation Jonathan and the CAN president gave on us,
including the various versions people give about us that we are like
cancer (a terrible ailment) in this country called Nigeria. No, we're
not cancer, neither are we evil. If people don't know us, God knows
everyone. Everyone knows what happened to our leader. Everyone knows
what wickedness was meted out to our members and fellow Muslims in
Nigeria from time to time in Zango kataf, Tafawa Balewa, Kaduna,
villages, Langtang, Yelwa shendam. Different things were meted out to Muslims in this country. Everyone knows that democracy and the
constitution is paganism and everyone knows there are some things that
God has forbidden in the Quran that cannot be counted even western
education! We have stopped everything apart from saying we should stay
on the path of truth and peace and live right in the sight of God.
There, we will have peace and that is what we have been preaching and because of that they said we should be killed and our mosques destroyed.
We decided to defend ourselves and God has said if you follow him, he will
give you strength! That is why Jonathan, you should know that this is
beyond your power. It is not our doing but that of God. It is beyond
you. Wallahi, what you are saying is like you have not started saying
anything! Before God created the earth, he knew what was going to happen
and he has promised in the holy book that he will help his religion. It
is beyond your power. What you see has been happening, God allowed it
because you have refused to follow him and you have betrayed his
religion. That is why Jonathan, this is beyond your power-yes!! If a few
in your government say nice things about us, it is not surprising-it
has happened many times -our hands are open! Anybody that says he will
not follow God, even if he loves us, God has not said we should love
such a person. God has said we should show such person the right path
and embrace such person! You Christians should know that Jesus is a
servant and prophet of God. He is not the son of God. This religion of
Christianity you are practicing is not a religion of God-it is
paganism. God frowns at it. What you are practicing is not religion.
Aside that, you Christians cheated and killed us to the extent of eating
our flesh like cannibals! You did all you wanted to us. We are trying
to coerce you to embrace Islam, because that is what God instructed us
to do. Even at that, without provocation, you slaughtered us and took
our wives and humiliated us! Now you CAN president, you come out to say
your people should come out and do whatever they want to do! Any right
thinking person knows what you mean, any right thinking person knows
what you're saying. This is why as leader of this sect I tell you to
repent and to you Christians, repent! This path we're taking is God's
path. Fellow Muslims, understand us! Our objective is not to kill or
humiliate or steal. This explanation has become necessary, even if I
don't explain, I can decide to keep mute because the person I love to
know me like this is God. I have no objective than to help the
religion of God, that is all I can explain. But if u want further
explanation, we have tapes you can listen to and know our objectives.
This is also my message to the President of Nigeria, Jonathan, who has
come out to say negative things about us and also a lot of harm to
us-God has given us victory and we have done what we want to do. This is
almost 11 yrs. our members are being killed! Anything people want to
say or do, we say enough is enough! We serve God and we do not harm
anybody, but anybody that looks for our trouble, we will face such
person or persons! We follow the tenets of the Quran and anybody that
thinks he can fight God shouldn't think his prayer or praying in the
mosque can save him! Any muslim that cheats and hides under the cloak of
religion, if we know such person, we wont hesitate to eliminate him.
Yes, I am saying so because it doesn't take 5 minutes to kill just as
we're being killed. We follow the teachings of the Quran. This is what
God has told me to explain. Allhamdulillah!'' ("VIDEO: Boko Haram leader "Imam Abubakar Shekau" Message to President Jonathan" Jan 12 2012)
The new leader Imam Abubakar Shekau sends a message to Goodluck Johnathan in Arabic through his spokesperson Abdul Qaqa who appears in the video. He mentions there former leader, Mohammed Yusuf, who died after the shootout between Boko Haram and the army. He claims that Muslims are oppressed in his country and that democracy is paganism. Through this statement the leader expresses a sentiment of abandonment and betrayal from the Nigerian government. The north being underdeveloped and stricken with poverty raises the question "if there were more resourceful development programs in the North would Boko Haram exist?" " It [Boko Haram] is usually conceptualized as a religious movement but it
has strong socio-political and economic undertones. That is part of the
reason why it has attracted so much attention. There is so much
discontent in Nigerian society and to some extent; Boko Haram is feeding
on this. Its message is also resonating because there is a broader
feeling among some Nigerians that society would be better off with going
back to the old days of the Sokoto Caliphate. This segment thinks that
moral decay, as well as economic problems, would be resolved because the
Caliphate and the Islamic Shariah promoted this idea of Zakat ̶ a tenet
of Islam that wealth has to be shared. This segment thinks that
inequality and gross disparity between the rich and poor in Nigeria
could be dealt with through an Islamic government" (Adeba Jan 7 2012). This is a statement from an interview with Dr. Tieku, a researcher who argues that the Boko Haram group is not a religious movement despite their many claims. The leader again denounces western education reiterating the lack of properly structured and affordable Islamic schools similar to the institution built by the former leader, Mohammed Yusuf. He continuously claims accounts of violence against his fellow Hausa and Fulani Muslim brothers, blaming the other Christian tribes for the disturbance of Peace. He claims that the recent attacks by them were solely to avenge the attacks of Muslims in highly ethnic conflicted Jos and other Northern states. He denies the killings of any innocent civilians but proclaims those of security and government officials. These claims reiterate their strong opposition to the Nigerian government.
Second Video:
Translation:
"Oh you people, oh you people. I want you all to listen to me
carefully; listen to this servant of God who has no other duty to pursue
on earth except the propagation and the fighting on the cause of Allah.
We want to respond to the laughable pronouncement of President Jonathan that we will be defeated within the next three months.
We have listened to his proclamation and understand that nobody talks
like this except one that has stayed off the path of his divine
creator.
But he should know that we have given the assurance and have
committed faith in God that nothing can be done to subdue us. With all
glory to God, our divine desire is that all of us should be killed as
martyrs on the path of God, so as to enable us be blessed with the
rewards of Allah as promised in His holy book, Al Qur’an.
This is the only mission before us, and we have prayed that Allah
should purify our minds with faith and strengthen our minds on His
cause. We have sworn and we are telling you Jonathan that there is
nothing that you can do to stop us. Those that have preceded you in that
office have not been able to do anything to us even though they have
bragged as you are doing now – since the eras of King Pharaoh and those
that came before Pharaoh up till the present time; if you see a person
not walking on the path of God, you will always hear such making empty
threats. But for us we have nothing but the worship and the trusting in
God almighty; Allah is enough as our protector.
We also want people to understand that we have no intention in
killing any one or maiming people indiscriminately; there may be some
persons or group of persons that are going after people terrorizing them
or extorting them under our revered umbrella or name, but we want to
tell the world that we are not with those people and we don’t know them.
People may not really understand or differentiate us with those
people, but there will certainly be a day when God will make things
clear for the whole world to understand where we stand. To those that we
kill, it has been established that they have constituted themselves as
affront to the cause of God. This is a message we have for the world and
especially those that have been making empty threats about us.
We will not bother ourselves engaging in too many talks, neither are
we going to worry about the talks of the people, except on issue that
will be of benefit to the people. We pray Allah to continue to support
us on this mission and make us to continue in this mission with no
purpose other than His worship.
We have prayed that God should give us the privilege of being amongst
those killed in the path of the struggle for the establishment of His
dominion.
You people of Government and security agencies are busy boasting and
priding yourselves with the killings and attacks on us …(quoting some
qur’anic verses) How we wish that Muslim faithful will sit down and
ponder over the Quranic verses, he will understand any time that an
unbeliever catches one or kills one, he will definitely laugh at the
follies of such unbeliever. God has said that it won’t take a longer
period for such persecution to last; so don’t be discouraged, and don’t
be disheartened with what you are facing in this movement, because you
the believers and the exalted ones. I want the world to know that even
if I was trampled upon, with my head pressed to the ground and people
are beating are mobbing me, I still remain the exalted in the sight of
Allah; If I am but a sincere believer. Even if we were maimed or injured
on this mission, Allah has said it that many who fought similar
religious holy wars may have suffered worst persecution.
In this movement God has said that if will 1000 people today, and by
tomorrow they come to kill a hundred from amongst us, Allah has said
that He is the one allowing it to test our faith in Him, so that those
that have professed faith in God will be able to know who from amongst
them are truly the sincere believers. It is from all these arrests and
killings of our people that we have witnessed in the recent times, we
will be able to know those who are of weak faith and those that are the
true believers in Allah."(Zelin April 13 2012)
Both these films were pre-recorded and have unspecified dates, however they both exemplify the extremity and radicalism of this group as they profess promises of an unending battle until Nigeria is made an Islamic state. The second video begins with a Hausa song, and the leader who is situated in the middle. He alternates between speaking in the Arabic and Hausa language. This demonstrates once again the relationship between the Hausa and Islamic culture. By playing the Hausa music, Shekau demonstrates a culture/tribe that can coe-exist with Islam contrary to the other ethnic tribes existing in Nigeria that he has consequently condemned.
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.
Sahara
Reports, "VIDEO: Boko Haram leader "Imam Abubakar Shekau" Message to
President Jonathan." Last modified Jan 12 2012. Accessed April 22, 2012.
http://saharareporters.com/video/video-boko-haram-leader-imam-abubakar-shekau-message-president-jonathan.
Zelin,
Aaron. Jihadology, "New video message from Boko Haram’s (Jamā’at Ahl
al-Sunnah li Da’wah wa-l-Jihād) Amīr Imām Abū Bakr Shekau: “We Are
Coming To Get You Jonathan”." Last modified April 13, 2012. Accessed
April 24, 2012.
http://jihadology.net/2012/04/12/new-video-message-from-boko-harams-jamaat-ahl-al-sunnah-li-dawah-wa-l-jihad-amir-imam-abu-bakr-shekau-we-are-coming-to-get-you-jonathan/.
