Get to the root cause of Nigeria chaos

The violent activities the Islamist group, Boko Haram, has undertaken in Nigeria in the past few months are a signal for uncertainty and increased insecurity not just for Nigeria, but for much of Africa and the rest of the world.

Like other organisations that claim to be associated with Al-Qaeda, Boko Harama calls for an Islamic caliphate. It is said to have established links with the so-called Al- Qaeda in the Maghreb and Al- Shabaab, which Kenya is fighting.

These groups are, in turn, products of Saudi-sponsored missionaries from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Libya, Pakistan and other countries, who intensified efforts in the 1990s to promote Wahhabi doctrine and orthodoxy.

As a result of these activities, several Nigerian states adopted Islamic law between 1999 and 2001.

However, Islamic law at the state-level, as opposed to federal level, did not satisfy those behind the creation of Boko Haram in 2002. They sought the adoption of Islamic rule across the country.

They also subsequently issued statements that indicated an interest to align the Nigerian struggle to jihad in Palestine, Afghanistan and Iraq.

Thus, while Boko Haram’s most recent attacks have occurred in the northern Nigerian state of Yobe, the message sent out to Nigerians and the rest of the world is the same: How prepared is international society to take appropriate measures not just to stop such attacks but to undermine the promotion of the Saudi-inspired teachings?

So far, little has been done by the West or Africa to tackle the root causes of Islamic radicalisation.

Although Boko Haram is influenced by the broader Islamist agenda, it is also motivated by local political, economic, social and religious grievances.

Poverty and unemployment in some northern Nigerian states, coupled with population increase, have turned these states into ideal recruitment grounds for Boko Haram.

Boko Horama was formed in 2002 under the name Jama’atu Ahlus-Sunnah Lidda’Awati Wal Jihad, which could be translated into “People Committed to the Prophet’s Teachings for Propagation and Jihad”. However, the organisation is popularly known by the name Boko Haram, which could be translated into “Western education is unlawful”.

The group initially engaged in small-scale attacks against government and security targets, and made international headlines in July 2009 when five days of intense attacks against “Westernised” clerics and elites left more than 700 people dead in Maiduguri.

The federal government intervened and claimed victory.

However, in August 2011, Boko Haram announced its return with the suicide car-bombing of the United Nations building in the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Later in 2011, Boko Haram undertook deadly attacks in the northeastern states of Yobe and Borno.

The group, which used to confine itself to drive-by shootings, has become more violent than ever.