The death of the founder of Boko Haram ten years ago marked a turning point in Nigeria: The organization of an Islamic sect, a terrorist organisation that has lost the support of the population, partially.
“This is a message to President Goodluck Jonathan and all the other representatives of the Christians. We call for a Holy war! We will fight the Christians, because they all know what they did to the Muslims!” – So, the message of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau in July 2010 spread on the Internet was. The organization had begun to change.
The Origins Of Boko Haram
The history of Boko Haram begins eleven years earlier in Maiduguri, the capital of the Federal state of Borno. After the democratization of Nigeria, the population is hoping for an end to the ubiquitous corruption and a fairer distribution of wealth. At this point, a young preacher called Mohammed Yusuf in appearance. It calls for the application of Islamic Law, as well as a shift away from the Western life style. His solution: “Western Teachings are sinful” (Hausa: “Boko Haram”). The discontent of the people is the breeding ground for the radical theses of the preacher who speaks first, however, against the use of violence.
Boko Haram Founder Mohammed Yusuf
“We want to spread the Islam. Everyone has the right to hear the message of Islam,” the sermon Yusuf. However, his attacks against all non-Muslims to take part in its clarity: “I say unto you, that The disbelievers are liars. They will do anything to come to Power. They promise a lot and talk of peace, but in truth, they are relentless.”
Yusuf’s movement wins a huge inflow, especially in the North-East States of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe. At the beginning of 2009, the confrontations with the security forces in the Wake of demonstrations in all the major cities are on the agenda. For the Nigerian state, Yusuf is increasingly becoming a threat.
The death of the founder Mohammed Yusuf
After the ban of a Boko Haram Demonstration at the end of July 2009, break in the city of Bauchi riots, which will spread to Yobe, Borno and other regions. In the case of multi-day clashes to die alone in Maiduguri, the capital city of Bornos, from 26. July at least 300 people.
The Nigerian government responded with a large-scale police action, including sect leader Mohammed Yusuf arrested. 30. In July 2009, he is shot and killed, according to a police spokesperson, while trying to escape from the security forces. There are reports of illegal executions of cult members by the police.
Successor, Abubakar Shekau
At this time, Yusuf was already named a successor, Abubakar Shekau. Under him, Boko Haram begins a relentless “Holy war” against the Nigerian state. The sect operates from now on in the underground. It is the beginning of a new Dimension of terror, with many suicide attacks, including on the headquarters of the police in the capital, Abuja. With increasingly brutal attacks, increasingly against civilians, widespread Boko Haram fear and Terror. Within ten years, about 32,000 people die, more than two million are displaced from their homes.
Spiral of violence: young people reasons, citizens fight back
Large parts of the civil society accusing the government and the military, to be able to guarantee the security of the population. 2013 decides on a group of youths from Maiduguri to take the protection of the population in the own hands. You reasons the vigilante CJTF, the “Civilian Joint Task Force” whose goal is to drive the Islamist fighters out of their cities. The youths arm themselves with guns, but also with daggers, Machetes, sticks and iron rods.
Routine inspection of the citizens militia, the CJTF in April 2017
Also women are welcome. “I’ve decided to join a group, because my husband, a policeman, was killed by Boko Haram brutally and me with five children left behind,” said Altine Abdullahi, one of the female fighters and a founding member of the CJTF, in the DW-Interview.
According to estimations of observers, the group now has over 26,000 members, of which 1800 will receive a salary of approximately 50 dollars per month. Since then, the CJTF has to complain about 600 victims. It managed, however, to expel Boko Haram from the metropolis of Maiduguri and other major towns to a large extent. But also the CJTF will always be accused of human rights violations, including mistreatment and arbitrary executions of alleged Boko-Haram-fighters.
In spite of all the criticism of security experts and local residents are unanimous in stressing the success of the vigilantes. “The use of young people has paid off in any case, the people can move now in most cities without fear from one point to another. The young people understand better than the soldiers of the Nigerian army, most of whom are from other States were sent,” confirmed Elizabeth Ame, a resident of Maiduguris, in the DW-interview
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Muhammadu Completely Ruining The Military Offensive
Also, the government relies increasingly on confrontation with Boko Haram: 2015 Muhammadu Buhari – a former General of the Nigeria through – African armed forces in the presidential election against Goodluck Jonathan and promises to defeat the terrorist organization within two years.
“Wonderful! This snake we have killed!” – “Look around you, Baba!” Also, the President by far the crackdown against Boko Haram was not just a victory on time
In fact, it is possible for the Nigerian military, with the help of international
Troops from neighbouring countries Chad, Niger and Cameroon, to the insistence of Boko Haram on the Defensive. Large parts of the Federal state of Borno, are still in the beginning of 2015 under the control of the jihadists, can be freed.
Meanwhile, security experts Mainly see notice much more sceptical: “The end of Boko Haram to announce, is simple, concrete achievements are far more achieve harder,” says Yome Dare, a former officer in the Nigerian army. “It is a very ugly war, and thus you should not play.”
In fact, Boko Haram seems to be gaining in the last months of strength and Terrain. The Boko-Haram militants have increased their arsenals. According to observers, the weapons come mainly from Libya and, possibly, of former IS-bastions. By the end of 2018 (at the 27. December 2018) demonstrated the organization of their military strength, when you hit 500 soldiers of the regional anti-terrorist coalition from their headquarters in Baga, in the escape, and the city in the short term under their control could bring.
Demoralised Army
In recent months, the deterioration in the security situation in Nigeria is rapidly confirmed Yome Dare to the DW: “the morale of The troops is low. The soldiers are pushed to their limits.” You were tired, demotivated and ill-equipped, says a security expert. “I think it is high time that the government and the military to ensure that the equipment is destined for the soldiers at the Front actually arrives at the soldiers.”
Also the increased military presence could not subdue the Rebellion
In the past year, Nigerian media reported that several demonstrations of frustrated soldiers of the Nigerian army In August 2018, hundreds of military have fired on the runway of the airport in Maiduguri with their weapons in the air to bring your exhaustion after four years at the Front of the expression. Their message: “For years, we are far away from our families and are nevertheless in the fight against the jihadists is hardly a step.”
Cooperation: Al-Amin Suleiman Mohammed (Maiduguri)