Boko Haram and Nigeria Taurean Mucthison

Overview of Nigeria  Located in West Africa  Officially the “Federal Republic of Nigeria”  Nigeria is the 2 nd largest GDP on the African Continent and the 39th largest economy in the world.  Population of nearly 180 million

Religious Divide  About 49.3% of Nigerians are Christian most of which are Protestant  About 48.8% of Nigerians are Muslim most of which are Sunni  Christian majority in the South while Muslim majority in the North  Elections generally alternate between Muslim and Christian Presidents

Wealth Disparity  Although rich in Fossil Fuels, 45% of Nigerians are under the poverty line.  Most of the poor live in the rural north of the country.  North and South divide caused by oil wealth and corruption.

Boko Haram  An Islamist insurgency group officially known as “Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad”  Founded by Mohammed Yusuf  Formed in the capital of Maiduguri in Borno State  One of the most famous fundamentalists used by Boko Haram is Mohammed Marwa  Western Education is Forbidden

Islamic Law  There has been one execution under Shariah Law under the state government  Boko Haram seeks to establish a pure Islamic state ruled by Shariah law  Boko Haram justifies most of their killings using Shariah law

Terrorism  Boko Haram has carried out a wide range of terrorist attacks  More than 10,000 people have died as a result of the insurgency  Started a wave of terror across Northern Nigeria  Links to Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and its splinter group Ansaru. 

Nigerian Offensive  President Goodluck Jonathan declares a state of emergency in three states  Air strikes begin and thousands of troops are deployed in the Northeastern region  Current Boko Haram leader Abubaker Shekau has called on all muslims around the world to join his Jihad 

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