Unmasking Boko Haram

Since the early formative years of Boko Haram, its nefarious activities have claimed the lives of thousands and led to the displacement of many others. It remains one of the greatest threats to contemporary Nigeria's national security. At the same time, Nigeria's military is one of the most formidable forces in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet despite its successes outside Nigeria, it has continued to struggle in its fight against Boko Haram in the country's north-eastern region. This difficulty has been attributed to several factors, including a lack of professionalism, corruption, and inadequacies in personnel, equipment and technology. Boko Haram, a jihadist group affiliated to Al-Qaeda, targets both security forces and civilians, and has gained global attention, particularly over the kidnapping of more than 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno state, in 2014. It has, furthermore, undergone significant evolution over the years, which has often left both local and international commentators, observers and

Boko haram · Criminology · Development economics · Economic growth · Insurgency · Language change · Political science · Politics · Security forces · Sociology · State (computer science · Law · Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and Political Violence