What is the image that comes to mind when you hear
the words Boko Haram? Western media ran wild with ‘#bringbackourgirls,’ and we
listened to the plight of devastated families, wailing for the return of their
children. But the girls are not back and further still, many more are dying at
the hands of Boko Haram. So who is Boko Haram? Was ‘#bringbackourgirls,’ a fad?
Perhaps unsurprisingly the fundamentalist group
arose in country riddled with social inequality, poverty and the increasing
rise of radicalism. There has been growing move since the British occupation
among Nigerian political and academic elites to oppose Western education and
ideology.
One such person was Mohammed Yusuf who founded the
sect known as Boko Haram in 2001. He created a religious complex and school
that largely attracted poor Muslim families. The goal of the organisation was
creating an Islamic state. To increase his following Mohammed Yusuf denounced
the police and state as corrupt, this message was one the people of Nigeria
could identify with. For approximately seven years the group conducted their
activities relatively peacefully and withdrew from mainstream society.
It was not until 2009 that the situation
deteriorated rapidly and violence escalated exponentially. The local police began investigating the
group, which led to the arrest of nine Boko Haram members and the confiscation
of bomb making equipment. In turn leading to retaliation attacks on police and
widespread rioting. By July 2009 almost 700 people were killed and the majority
were Boko Haram members. A military task force operation was launched, Mohammed
Yusuf was arrested and killed in custody while apparently, trying to escape.
What followed could only be described as a violent
progression to militant extremism, involving prison breaks, guerrilla warfare,
multiple bombings and terrorism, largely targeting police. In 2012 a state of
emergency was declared as the violence was recognised as unmanageable. But it was not until 2014 that the Western
world took note with any conviction (#bringbackourgirls). The girls have still
not been brought back.
Furthermore Boko Haram has continued to slaughter
civilians in Nigeria. It is evidenced in satellite images and testimonials from
people who have escaped. Some groups, such as Amnesty International claim that
in one raid up to 2,000 people were killed. It is denied by the Nigerian
Government and Western Journalists cannot get in because it is so dangerous.
There is no indication
that the Nigerian military as the capacity to manage the situation. There is no
indication that Boko Haram intends to suspend, or reduce their use of force
against civilians. Yet there is every indication that #bringbackourgirls is no
longer trending, or trendy.