Introduction Boko Haram loosely termed "Western or non-Islamic education is a sin" is a Nigerian terrorist Islamist group that seeks

the imposition of Shariah law in the northern states of Nigeria. The group presently has an undefined structure and chain of command. The official name of the group is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad". The literal translation is "Association of Sunnis for the Propagation of Islam and for Holy War". It became known internationally following sectarian violence in Nigeria in 2009. The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad". But residents of Maiduguri, where it was formed in 2002, dubbed it Boko Haram. Loosely translated from the local Hausa language, this means Western education is forbidden. Residents gave it the name because of its strong opposition to Western education, which it sees as corrupting Muslims. The term "Boko Haram" comes from the Hausa word boko meaning "Animist, western or otherwise non-Islamic education" and the Arabic word haram figuratively meaning "sin" (literally, "forbidden") Boko Haram opposes not only Western education, but Western culture and modern science as well. In a 2009 BBC interview, Mohammed Yusuf, then the group's leader, stated that he rejects the fact that the earth is a sphere and views it as contrary to Islam, along with Darwinism and the fact that rain comes from water evaporated by the sun. The Boko Haram Group

The popular name Boko Haram has its origin in media and public/community coinage. The word boko in Hausa is popularly used to refer to the formal public or private educational system in Nigeria, also referred to as Western secular education. The word is also used to refer to Western education in all its ramifications, along with anything it is associated with. During the Colonial period in Nigeria, most of those promoting Western education were Christian Missionaries, most of whom used their schools to also propagate Christianity and convert Muslim children. It was - and in some quarters, is still - seen as evangelism in the guise of Western education. Western education was therefore seen by some local Muslim scholars as deceptive. The word boko in classical Hausa language literally means deception or deceit, as used in the Hausa term amaryar boko, which means fake bride or literally, bride of deception. This is sometimes a feature in the traditional Hausa wedding where a grandmother usually dresses up like the bride as part of a practical joke played on the groom. Haram is a Hausa word adopted from Arabic. It means islamically unacceptable, forbidden or prohibited. While Boko Haram may therefore be interpreted as meaning that the Western secular education is islamically prohibited, it could also be interpreted to mean that evangelism deceptively camouflaged as Western education is islamically unacceptable. Others consider the word boko as a corruption of the English word book, which was associated with Western education. The group came into existence in the 1960's, but only started to draw attention in 2002. Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf became its leader

in the same year. In 2004 it moved to Kanamma, Yobe State, where it set up a base called "Afghanistan", used to attack nearby police outposts, killing police officers. Yusuf is hostile to democracy and the secular education system, vowing that "this war that is yet to start would continue for long" if the political and educational system was not changed. Its followers are said to be influenced by the Koranic phrase which says: "Anyone who is not governed by what Allah has revealed is among the transgressors". Boko Haram promotes a version of Islam which makes it "haram", or forbidden, for Muslims to take part in any political or social activity associated with western society. This includes voting in elections, wearing shirts and trousers or receiving a secular education. Boko Haram regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, even when the country had a Muslim president. Since the Sokoto caliphate, which ruled parts of what is now northern Nigeria, Niger and southern Cameroon, fell under British control in 1903, there has been resistance among the area's Muslims to Western education. Many Muslim families still refuse to send their children to government-run "Western schools", a problem compounded by the ruling elite which does not see (Westernstyle/secular) education as a priority. Against this background, the charismatic Muslim cleric, Mohammed Yusuf, formed Boko Haram in Maiduguri in 2002. He set up a religious complex, which included a mosque and an Islamic school. Many poor Muslim families from across Nigeria, as well as neighbouring countries, enrolled their children at the school. But Boko Haram was not only interested in education. Its political goal was to create an Islamic state, and the school became a recruiting ground for jihadis to fight the state.

In Bauchi the group was reported as refusing to mix with the local people. The group includes members who come from neighbouring Chad and speak only in Arabic

The group calls itself Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaa ala Minhaj asSalaf, which means: People of the Way of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Community (of Muslims), in line with the earliest generation of Muslims. This name has a positive meaning that is acceptable to nearly all Muslims.

Some Activities of The Group In July 2009 the Nigerian police started investigating the group, following reports that the group was arming itself. Several leaders were arrested in Bauchi, sparking deadly clashes with Nigerian security forces which led to the deaths of an estimated 700 people. Prior to the clashes, many Muslim leaders and at least one military official had warned the authorities about Boko Haram. Those warnings were reportedly ignored. In the state of Yobe, fighters reportedly "used fuel-laden

motorcycles" and "bows with poison arrows" to attack a police station.[19] On 30 July, allegations were made that Yusuf himself was killed by Nigerian security forces after being taken into custody. In January 2010, the group struck again in the Nigerian state of Borno, killing four people in Dala Alemderi ward in Maiduguri metropolis.[21]

On September 7, 2010, Boko Haram freed over 700 inmates from a prison in Bauchi State. In December 2010, Boko Haram were blamed for a market bombing, following which 92 of its members were arrested by police. On Friday January 28, 2011, the Borno state candidate of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) for the April 2011 gubernatorial elections was assassinated, along with his brother, four police officers and a 12-year old boy. Boko Haram has been blamed for these killings, other commentators have noted that the assasination of the ANPP governorship candidate Mr. Modu Fannami Gubio was politically motivated. No evidence has been offered for Boko Haram's involvement. On March 29, police thwarted a plot to bomb an [ANPP] election rally in Maiduguri, Borno State (map). The threat was blamed on Boko Haram. On April 1 (the day before the original date of Nigerias legislative elections), suspected Boko Haram members attacked a police station in Bauchi (map). On April 9, a polling center in Maiduguri was bombed. On April 15, the Maiduguri office of the Independent National Electoral Commission was bombed, and several people were shot in a separate incident on the same day. Authorities suspected Boko Haram. On April 20, Boko Haram killed a Muslim cleric and ambushed several police officers in Maiduguri. On April 22, Boko Haram freed 14 prisoners during a jailbreak in Yola, Adamawa State (map). On Tuesday February 8, 2011, Boko Haram gave conditions for peace. The radicals demanded that the Borno State Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, should step down from office with immediate effect and also allow members to reclaim their mosque in

Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State. On 9th May 2011 Boko Haram rejected an offer for amnesty made by the governor-elect of Borno state, Kashim Shettima. Boko Haram was blamed for a series of bombings in northern Nigeria on May 29, 2011 that left 15 dead. On June 17, 2011, the group claimed responsibility for a bombing attack on the police force headquarters in Abuja that occurred the previous day. Officials believed that the attack was the first suicide bombing in Nigeria's history and that it specifically targeted Police Inspector-General Hafiz Ringim. On June 26, 2011, the sect carried out a bombing attack on a beer garden in Maiduguri, according to officials and witnesses. Militants on motorcycles threw explosives into the drinking spot, killing about 25 people. On June 27, 2011, another bombing in Maiduguri attributed to the group killed at least two girls and wounded three customs officials. On July 03, 2011, a bombing in a beer garden in Maiduguri attributed to the group killed at least twenty people. On July 10, 2011, a bombing at a church the All Christian Fellowship Church in Suleja, Niger State. On July 11, 2011, the University of Maiduguri closed its Institution down citing security concerns. The prominent Muslim Cleric Liman Bana was shot dead by Boko Haram on August 12, 2011. He died after sustaining gunshot wounds while walking home from conducting prayers at the main mosque in Ngala.

Causes of the Boko Haram Crisis In the past, deviant fanatical groups such as the Maitatsine and the so-called Nigerian Taliban have appeared in northern Nigeria. Northern Nigeria has been a region susceptible to groups such as Boko Haram for a combination of reasons. Some of these reasons includes. Many Muslims in northern Nigeria are poorly educated and very ignorant about Islam from its authentic sources. This makes it easy for some charismatic personalities to abuse the freedom of expression.
There are many stereotypes and misconceptions about the

Western secular educational system (boko) as practiced in Nigeria its origins, contents, purpose, methodology, and its relationship with Islam and other religions. Some of these have existed since the early Colonial period. Today, many within the Almajiri system of education express dislike for boko with the support of a significant number of local scholars and preachers. The breakdown and failure of the educational system in northern Nigeria has made it difficult for the system to prove its worth and value to the majority as it has done in other Muslim countries such as Malaysia and Iran. It is a sad fact that Northern Nigeria has the highest level of poverty and socioeconomic hardship in Nigeria. It is home to about 70% of the poorest in Nigeria, and has the highest levels of unemployment. The general crisis in leadership, from the Federal to the Local Government and Ward level; the high level of corruption and breakdown of the Rule of Law, have resulted in wide-spread apathy, cynicism

and

pessimism

regarding

government

and

traditional

leadership. Due to the unimaginably high levels of corruption and political manipulation within most of the northern governments, the political leaders have lost the respect of the majority and the religious authorities in particular. Corruption and the selfish interests of some religious figures have also added to the mutual mistrust between the religious figures, the government, and even the followers of these religious leaders. The religious authorities in many communities are divided, weak and have very poor networking relationships with each other.

Solution to the Problem of Boko Haram Crisis Education Ironically one of the reasons (say no to western education) why this group (Boko Haram) rioted and fought can also be one of the reasons, which could bring solutions to Northern Nigerian religious crises. Exposure to western education will obviously reduce this problem. Education is light. An educated people will make a better society. High level illiteracy rate makes it possible for people to be used for religious killings. Ignorance is a very serious damaging factor. Ignorance is like a disease. Until this disease is cured and our government becomes effective, Boko Haram crisis will be a childs play compared to what will happen in the future. Illiteracy constitutes a danger to the development of our country. Patriotism of Religious Leaders

Also intelligence and patriotism on the part of religious leaders and the generality of Nigerians, remained the only solution to the security threat posed by members of the Boko Haram sect terrorising the country. It is high time religious leaders stopped preaching inciting messages to their followers with the aim of causing disaffection, war and hatred among fellow citizens. Negotiation Like previous efforts at maintaining peace in the Niger Delta, the government should also seek ways of negotiating the the Boko Haram Group and if possible extend Amnesty to the members The way forward is for everyone to be patriotic and remember that the Nigerian nation today is as a result of the collective efforts and sacrifice people paid the price to keep this country one. References Abubakar, M. and Mohammed A. (2010), Kala Kato Crisis: How Latest Bauchi Incident Erupted, in: Weekly Trust (Kaduna), 1 January. Akaeze, A. (2009), From Maitatsine to Boko Haram, Newswatch (Lagos), 28 October, online: <http://www.newswatchngr. February 2010). Akhaine, S and Adamu A. (2009), Three Feared Dead, 60 Injured as Shiites Protest in Kaduna, Kano, in: The Guardian wikipedia http://www.tribune.com.ng/index.php/front-page-news/16402-bokoharam-strikes-again-in-borno-kills-4 (Lagos), 19 September,1-2.Online encyclopaedia

Sani, Sani Muh'd. "Attack On Bauchi Prison - Boko Haram Frees 721 Inmates." allAfrica.com. 8 September 2010. Retrieved on 31 May 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ni geria/8289512/Six-killed-in-Nigerian-political-massacre.html http://www.vanguardngr.com/2011/02/boko-haram-gives-conditionsto-stop-killings/ http://www.stratfor.com/../20110509-nigeria-boko-haram-rejectsamnesty-offer Brock, Joe (2011-06-17). "Nigerian Islamist sect claims bomb attack: paper". Reuters. Retrieved 2011-06-17. http://www.momentng.com/en/news/3133/borno-gov-escapes-deathexplosion-rocks-suleja.html http://saharareporters.com/news-page/university-maiduguri-shutdown-boko-haram-linked-killings-increase