Boko Haram Insurgency (2001-)

Boko Haram (Western education is forbidden), Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'Awati Wal-Jihad, is a militant Islamist movement based in northeast Nigeria. The group has received training and funds from Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and was designated by the US as a terrorist organisation in November 2013. Membership has been estimated to number between a few hundred and a few thousand.

Boko Haram killed more than 5,000 civilians between July 2009 and June 2014, including at least 2,000 in the first half of 2014, in attacks occuring mainly in northeast, northcentral and central states. Corruption in the security services and human rights abuses committed by them have hampered efforts to counter the unrest. 650,000 people fled the conflict zone by August 2014, an increase of 200,000 since May.

"Since Boko Haram’s resurgence in 2010, the Nigerian government has struggled to respond to the growing threat posed by the group." (US CRS, 2014)

Nigerian Army Captures Gwoza from Boko Haram, Gwoza Nigeria, Mar 2015

Taken on: 2015-03-27
Source: Nigerian Army/Thomas Van Linge

Nigerian Army Soldiers Pose Infront of Military College, Gwoza Nigeria, Mar 2015

Taken on: 2015-03-27
Source: Nigerian Army/Thomas Van Linge

Vigilantes Settle Local Scores With Boko Haram; Gombi, Nigeria, February 2015

Taken on: 2015-03-14
Source: Chris Stein/VoiceofAmerica

Nigerian Army Captures Boko Haram Equipment, Northern Nigeria, Feb 2015

Taken on: 2015-02-18
Source: Nigerian Defence Ministry via BBC

Nigerian Civilians Fleeing the Boko Haram Conflict, NE Nigeria, September 2014

Taken on: 2014-09-09
Source: OXFAM-NOVIB via European Commission DG ECHO Flickr

Oxfam Forced to Relocate Amid NE Nigeria Violence, August 2014

Taken on: 2014-08-14
Source: European Commission DG ECHO

Grieving Parents of Abducted Schoolgirls in Chibok, Nigeria, April 2014

Taken on: 2014-04-28
Source: VoA

Chibok Girls' School After Boko Haram Attack, Nigeria, April 2011

Taken on: 2014-04-28
Source: Yaroh Dauda/VoA