Boko Haram’s Persistent Threat In Nigeria

A series of bombing attacks occurred in Kano and Bauchi states of Nigeria between January 20 and 24, 2012, in which nearly 200 people were killed. The Nigerian radical Islamist group, Boko Haram, claimed responsibility for these attacks, which brought to the surface several problems associated with Nigerian society and polity. Beginning with its involvement in simple attacks by employing crude weapons to create sectarian violence, Boko Haram has grown over time in terms of the number of targets and effects of its attacks. It had killed around 510 people in various attacks in 2011. However, the latest attacks signify proper planning, particularly targeting the symbols of state as well as places of worship like police stations, government buildings, and churches. Further, the violent activities undertaken by the Islamist group signify uncertainty as well as increased insecurity, not just for Nigeria but for the region and the broader international community given Nigeria’s vast oil resources, its porous borders, Boko Haram’s linkages with foreign extremist groups, and selection of international targets like the UN building in Abuja; hence, the call for collaborated action.

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