‘Boko Haram’ and terrorism in Nigeria: Exploratory and explanatory notes

A.I. Ajayi

Department of History, Adeyemi College of Education, P.M.B 520, Ondo, Nigeria.

E-mail: ajayi_gboyega@yahoo.com; Tel.: +2348023771996

Accepted 29 June, 2012

In this study we examined the origin of the Boko Haram movement in Nigeria and how it transformed from a fundamentalist religious group to a terrorist organization. Root causes like poverty, unemployment, politicization of religion and general socio-economic malaise afflicting the nation are focused upon as explanations for the evolution of extremist religious groups. We also discussed foreign links and supports for the Boko Haram movement as well as the manifestations of its terrorist activities. While admitting that it may take some time before the scourge of Boko Haram can be obliterated we feel that in the short run its activities can be curtailed and contained by beefing up security operations while more fundamental remedial measures should be initiated in order to prevent a re-occurrence of acts of terrorism by Boko Haram or any other aggrieved party in the future.

Keywords: Boko haram, terrorism, Nigeria.