Islamic State's West Africa Province facts for kids
Boko Haram is a group that has been active in Nigeria since 2009. It is connected to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. The name "Boko Haram" means that "Western" or "non-Islamic" education is wrong. The group mainly operates in northern Nigeria.
Boko Haram wants to make Islamic law the only law in Nigeria. They also want to stop any education that is not based on their understanding of Islam. The group sees itself as similar to the Taliban, which is active in Afghanistan. Because of this, people in Nigeria sometimes call them the "Taliban." The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad. In Arabic, this means "People Committed to Spreading the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad."
What is Boko Haram?
The group was started in Maiduguri in 2002. Its members follow Sunni Islam. Local people soon gave the group the name Boko Haram. This name comes from the local Hausa language and roughly means "Western education is forbidden." Residents used this name because the group strongly opposes Western education. They believe it harms Muslims. The word 'boko' in Hausa means "non-Islamic education," and 'haram' from Arabic means "sin" or "forbidden."
Boko Haram is against more than just Western education. They also oppose Western culture and modern science. The group even forbids wearing shirts and pants. They also do not allow voting in elections. They believe that the Nigerian government is run by people who do not follow their beliefs.
In 2009, the group's leader at the time, Mohammed Yusuf, said he did not believe that the Earth is round. He thought this idea went against Islam. He also rejected Darwinism and the scientific explanation that rain comes from water evaporating from the sun.
Major Activities
Boko Haram has been responsible for several serious actions:
- In December 2010, the group attacked a prison in Bauchi and released many prisoners.
- In the same month, an explosion in Jos (Plateau state) caused many people to get hurt or lose their lives. This was followed by an attack on an army base in Abuja.
- Between 2010 and 2011, there were many shootings in Maiduguri that led to people being harmed. The group also attacked the Police Headquarters and the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja.
Boko Haram is not connected to another group called the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta. That group has been fighting against the oil industry in the Niger Delta since 2006.
In March 2015, Boko Haram became part of the Islamic State.
Images for kids
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Areas controlled by Boko Haram and ISWAP in 2022.
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An MT-LB vehicle that was used by ISWAP before it was destroyed in March 2015.
