Boko Haram history

 

The Boko Haram sect, though has been existence since 2001, did not become popular in the country until 2009, when it participated actively in sectarian violence, which occurred then in Jos, Plateau State.

Mohammed Yusuf, who remained the group’s leader until he was killed by soldiers in 2009, founded the Boko Haram sect.

After his death, Abubakar Shekau became the new Boko Haram leader, a position he still holds till date.

Other prominent members of the group include Abul Qaqa and Abu Zaid. Both Qaqa and Zaid have been acting as the sect’s spokesmen.

Even though the group started out as a purely Islamic group, the disposition of the group became questionable for three reasons. Firstly, the sect is not only out for non-Muslims, it is fighting the government as well. This is evident in the group’s bombings of the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja and other government owned structures.

Secondly, recent Boko Haram news showed that the sect has non-Muslims as its members.

Thirdly, the group has not spared some prominent Muslims, as they had attacked mosques and killed Islamic religious leaders in the past.

The Boko Haram crisis, which is still ravaging Nigeria to date started formally in 2009 with the sectarian religious violence between rival Islamic groups in Plateau State.

Since 2009, no fewer than 10,000 people have been killed in various activities spearheaded by the group.

September 7, 2010

•Bauchi prison break and 720 prisoners including 105 suspected sect members set free.

December 31, 2010

•Simultaneous attacks on military barracks in Abuja and Kuru, near Jos, Plateau State

April 22, 2011

•Yola jailbreak in which 14 prisoners, suspected to be sect members were freed.

May 29, 2011

•Multiple bombings in different locations in the North

June 16, 2011

•Bombing of the Nigeria Police Headquarters, Abuja

June 26, 2011

•Bombing of a beer parlour in Maiduguri, in which 25 people died and 12 others severely injured

August 12, 2011

•Killing of prominent Muslim cleric Liman Bana

August 26, 2011

•Bombing of the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja. twenty-three persons were killed and 129 others injured.

November, 2011

•Attack on the convoy of Bornu State Governor Kashim Shettima on his return from a trip abroad.

•Coordinated bombing and shooting attacks on police facilities in Potiskum and Damaturu, Yobe State claimed 150 lives

December 25, 2011

•Multiple bomb attacks killed dozens including 35 worshippers at St. Therasa Catholic Church, Madalla, Suleja.

•Second explosion hit a Church in Jos, killing a policeman.

•Two attacks on centres in Damaturu and another in Gadaka, Yobe State, claimed four lives.

January 5 and 6, 2012

•Multiple bombings recorded as the deadliest in Kano killed 180 people

January 20, 2012

•The Kano bombings

February 8, 2012

•Suicide bombing at the Army headquarters in Kaduna

February 16, 2012

•Prison break in Central Nigeria, 130 prisoners released

April 26, 2012

•Simultaneous bomb attacks on Thisday newspaper and Sun offices in Abuja and Kaduna

June 3, 2012

•15 Church-goers killed in Bauchi

June 17, 2012

•Suicide bombing attacks on three Churches in Kaduna claimed the lives of 100 worshippers.