Table Of ContentBOKO HARAM
BOKO HARAM
Security Considerations and the
Rise of an Insurgency
Ona Ekhomu
CRC Press
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Ekhomu, Ona, author.
Title: Boko Haram : security considerations and the rise of an insurgency / Ona Ekhomu.
Description: Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group, 2019. | Includes index. | Summary:
“Boko Haram analyzes the activities and atrocities of Nigeria’s Jihadi terrorist group, Boko Haram in
the context of global religious fundamentalism and extremism. The book traces the early beginnings
of the religious sect, the conversion of its leader to radical Islam in 2002, and the group’s campaign
of violence beginning in 2009 and continuing to the present. The group’s attacks against a variety
of targets are examined in detail as are their general tactics and strategies. The Nigerian government
response is also examined in order to provide critical lessons to counter-terrorism planners, officials
and scholars. The initial military response was hampered by capability and legislative constraints
including lack of arms and ammunitions, lack of modern counter-terrorism equipment, training gap,
leadership issues, intelligence gap, politicization of the conflict, and limited support for the Nigerian
Military by the international community. The book looks at the work that has been done thus far,
and what work needs to continue, to make gains to combat, marginalize, and ultimately defeat
Boko Haram and resolve the conflict facing Nigeria.”—Provided by publisher.
Identifiers: LCCN 2019020895 (print) | LCCN 2019981544 (ebook) | ISBN 9781138561366 (hardback : alk.
paper) | ISBN 9780203710838 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Boko Haram—History. | Terrorist organizations—Nigeria—History--21st century. |
Terrorism—Prevention—Government policy—Nigeria. | Social conflict—Nigeria--Religious
aspects. | Insurgency—Nigeria.
Classification: LCC HV6433.N62 B6524 2019 (print) | LCC HV6433.N62 (ebook) | DDC 363.32509669—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019020895
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019981544
Visit the Taylor & Francis Web site at
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This book is dedicated to the memory of the Nigerian service members
who lost their lives in the war against the Boko Haram insurgency.
May their supreme sacrifices not be in vain. Amen.
CONTENTS
Acknowledgements ix
Preface xi
The Author xiii
Prologue xv
PART ONE Historical Background
1 History of Boko Haram 3
2 Reign of Terror 19
3 BH Reloaded 35
4 Prelude to War 47
5 Funding of BH 63
PART TWO Choice of Targets
6 Targeting Military and Corrections 83
7 Targeting Law Enforcement 103
8 Targeting Schools and Students 113
9 Infrastructure Attacks 131
10 Divine Targets 149
11 Targeted Assassinations 167
vii
CONTENTS
PART THREE Combating Insurgency
12 The Military Solution 183
13 Negotiations 201
14 International Assistance 219
15 Solving the Insurgency 237
Index 255
viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This author is exceedingly grateful to editor Mark Listewnik for ensur-
ing that the book was completed and published. I also owe a profound
debt of gratitude to Mrs. Jennifer Abbott who first asked me to consider
writing a book on Boko Haram after she attended my presentation in
October 2014.
My gratitude also goes to my wife, Victoria, who nudged me daily
to complete this book. Aside from encouraging and cheering, Vicky
also sometimes assisted me with research. My daughter, Dr. Omonigho
Ekhomu, served as the project manager for this book project. She set
deadlines and followed up with me on meeting those commitments. My
other daughter, Miss Edowaye Ekhomu, also kept me focused on com-
pleting this with her gentle but persistent nudging.
I am also grateful to my former secretary, Mrs. Joke Shittu, Vicky’s for-
mer secretary, Mrs. Shakirat Omowunmi, my research assistant, Mr. Chigozie
Onyemachi, and my personal assistant, Ms. Tope Adesuyi, for assisting me
in numerous ways in the delivery of this product.
My greatest thanks go to Almighty God – my enabler and the source
of my knowledge. I give all praise to God and God alone.
ix
