Over the past week, Nigerian soldiers have killed 79 rebel soldiers and suspected kidnappers. This operation was regarding a revolt by Islamic extremists in Northwest Nigeria. According to Associated Press News, Due to these rebels, about 35,000 civilians have been killed, and over 2 million individuals have been displaced from their hopes in the northeastern end of the country. Additionally, this has officially been deemed a nationwide operation to preserve and strengthen the country’s security, and 252 individuals have been arrested for their crimes. Thankfully, 67 hostages have been released.
Who is perpetrating these attacks, and why?
The answer is grim and comes with a reflection on Nigerian history. During the late 1990s, a teenager called Muhammad Ali was extremely bright, tactful, and collected, all qualities fit for a strong leader. However, these qualities helped him turn into the leader of one of the most brutal terrorist groups of all time: Boko Haram. According to the National Counterterrorism Center, The group is the product of Ali’s radicalization and extreme study of jihadism. Ever since then, Ali has recruited followers – people who share his great passion for religion. However, the group – in some places known as the Nigerian Taliban – Has made it their goal since Ali’s youth to overthrow the Nigerian government and replace it with a government that follows and urges Islamic Law upon its people.
The group’s attacks started in the late 90s when clashes occurred with Nigerian government troops, which led to the death of numerous members, as well as military leader Muhammad Yusuf. Additionally, the group proved its capabilities in a 2011 attack on Nigeria’s U.N. headquarters in the city of Abuja. The group has gone as far as to threaten Western influences on Nigeria, as their idea of an ideal nation under Islamic law calls for an eradication of Western news, media, and ideology. Also, the group has shown an alliance with al-Qaeda, the terrorist group responsible for the horrendous 9/11, and has publicly threatened the United States. The group is notorious for being very vocal about its interests and does not appear to show fear when threatening huge, prospering nations.
Boko Haram has committed multiple murderous acts recently, starting with an attack on farmers in northeast Nigeria. As stated by Amnesty International, the terrorists attacked a farming community in Borno, Nigeria. The death toll was over 40, a deeply unsettling number to see gone for such a tight-knit community. Numerous people are missing, and many are injured. The actions taking place in this region are a continuation of the campaign of terror instigated by Boko Haram since 2011 and contribute to the humanitarian crisis in Nigeria, as described above and by the United Nations.
Unfortunately, the crimes against humanity committed by Boko Haram have not ended today. The connection to current times to be made with this group lies in the actions of the group, immense in impact and horrid in circumstance. In January of 2025, terrorists killed at least 20 Nigerian troops. According to Reuters, the ISAWP, a group that split from Boko Haram, (for leadership reasons, this group still has the same morals and agenda as Boko Haram) arrived at the Nigerian army’s battalion on the country’s border, and attacked them, aboard gun trucks. The terrorists ended up killing a commanding officer and a lieutenant colonel, ultimately overpowering the troops. Additionally, ISWAP went as far as to burn buildings, urge residents to flee their homes and preach threats to them. These raids have been seen to be extremely detrimental to Nigeria’s sociopolitical scene, as all kinds of innocent civilians are at risk of being targeted by these extremist groups.
Nigeria’s fate is unclear, and thousands of people suffer due to the actions of extremist groups. Issues such as these must be brought to the attention of important officials, as the actions of one important person may be the ticket to eradicating the power of groups with nothing but hate concerning their actions. Whenever that may be, there must be a series of actions and reforms taken, to preserve the safety of the Nigerian people, and ensure that the power of terrorists is diminished to the largest degree possible.
Written by Alexandra Kwitkowski
