The Evolution of Boko Haram
The history of Boko Haram spans nearly two decades, marked by increasing violence and radicalization. Here's a timeline of key events:
2002: Muhammad Yusuf founds Boko Haram, initially as a non-violent movement focused on purifying Islam in northern Nigeria.
2009: The group radicalizes, actively fighting against perceived corruption and injustice blamed on Western influences. Yusuf and other members are killed by security forces, sparking a desire for vengeance.
2010: Assassinations begin, primarily targeting police officers.
2011: Attacks escalate, including assaults on Christian churches and neighborhoods.
2013: Boko Haram takes control of rural areas in northeastern Nigeria and is officially declared a terrorist group.
2014: The group gains international notoriety with the mass kidnapping of over 275 schoolgirls from Chibok.
Around 2015: Boko Haram splits into factions, with one retaining the original name and another calling itself the Islamic State West Africa Province ISWAP.
Highlight: The kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls in 2014 marked a turning point, bringing global attention to Boko Haram's atrocities.
This timeline demonstrates how Boko Haram emerged in Nigeria, transitioning from a localized religious movement to a full-fledged terrorist organization with international connections.