Overview

Boko Haram (officially Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, or JAS) is a jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria, active since 2002. The group seeks to establish an Islamic state under Sharia law and opposes Western education and influence. Its tactics include suicide bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and mass attacks against civilians and security forces.

Size and Strength

Boko Haram's size has fluctuated over time due to military pressure, defections, and internal splits:

Estimated Fighter Numbers

  • JAS Faction: 1,500–2,000 members (as of 2021)
  • ISWAP Faction: 3,500–5,000 members (as of 2021)
  • Historical Peak: Up to 15,000–20,000 fighters during its peak in 2015

The group has suffered significant losses due to infighting and military operations but remains capable of carrying out frequent attacks. Notably, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a splinter faction, has become militarily stronger than JAS.

Territorial Control

Boko Haram has never held permanent urban centers but has controlled significant rural and forested areas:

Areas of Operation

  • Peak Control (2015): Controlled ~50,000 km² in northeastern Nigeria, including parts of Borno State
  • JAS Strongholds: South-central Borno (including Sambisa Forest) and along the Cameroonian border
  • ISWAP Strongholds: Lake Chad region and Alagarno Forest in northern Borno
  • Transnational Presence: Operations extend into northern Cameroon, Niger, Chad, and Mali

Despite claims by the Nigerian government that Boko Haram is "technically defeated," the group retains control over pockets of territory and continues to launch attacks.

Key Activities and Influence

Attacks and Tactics

  • Suicide bombings, armed assaults, and kidnappings (e.g., the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls abduction)
  • Illegal checkpoints on roads for extortion and abduction
  • Use of weaponized drones (e.g., ISWAP's drone attacks on military targets)

Humanitarian Impact

2.3M+ People displaced since 2013
40,000+ Fatalities since 2009
580+ Civilians kidnapped in 2024 alone

Regional Expansion

  • Alliances with armed bandits in northwestern Nigeria
  • Exploitation of porous borders after Niger's withdrawal from the Multinational Joint Task Force