Few Unknown Facts About World’s Deadliest Terror Group Boko Haram

In 2009, more than 700 people were bombarded. In 2011, 115 attacks killing more than 500 people and creating the State Of Emergency. The following year 305 were killed in 2012 and in 2013 almost 1000 people were killed with gunman attack.    

In 2014, 276 school girls kidnapped, 2,500 killed. In 2015, Islamist gunmen attacked the town of Baga. Estimation of around 2,000 civilians lost their lives. Recently in 2019, January- 6 soldiers killed and 14 injured by some jihadists. On 22 March, 23 Chadian Soldiers found dead. 

All the attacks which are possibly among the deadliest terror attacks in the history were done by a terrorist group infamously known as Boko Haram. 

Boko Haram is an Islamic State’s West Africa Province formerly known as ‘Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād (Group of the People of Sunnah for Preaching and Jihad)’. It actually a jihadist terrorist organization currently based in northeastern Nigeria and active in Chad, Niger, and northern Cameroon.

Here dig deeper and uncover the seven unknown facts about the notorious and threatening Terrorist organization, BOKO HARAM.   

1. When Boko Haram was first formed, it was a non-violent group.

In present, the world’s deadliest terror group Boko Haram was originally formed with the main goal to ‘purify Islam in northern Nigeria’ by Mohammed Yusuf.     

Previously it was called as Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād in 2001.  

2. What is the actual meaning of Boko Haram?

Boko Haram usually translates as ‘Western education is forbidden’. In Arabic, Haram means forbidden and the word Boko means fake. 

Moreover, the Boko Haram translates its motto as "Western influence is a sin" and "Westernization is sacrilege".  

3. World’s Deadliest Terror Group

As of 13 November 2013, Boko Haram was recognized as the most notorious active Terrorist group. After the death of Mohammed Yusuf in 2002, Abubakar Shekau is running the group since 2009.  

The 2015 Global Terrorism Index ranked Boko Haram #1 terror group after it killed tens of thousands of people and banished 2.3 million from their houses.  

4. Boko Haram: Promotion and Tales of Vengeance

As you are well known, the former late leader of the Boko Haram Mohammed Yusuf was captured and his execution was televised alongside his Father-in-law and other members.   

In response to such public execution, the group began to take revenge by a series of violent attacks. The supposed spokesperson of Boko Haram, Abul Qaqa said,    

“We are responsible for the attacks in Maiduguri, Damaturu, and Potiskum. We carried out the attacks to avenge the killings of our brothers by the security forces in 2009. We will continue to wage war against the Nigerian state until we abolish the secular system and establish an Islamic state.”

5. Boko Haram group consists of innocent civilians; mostly women and children.  

‘They are all around’ Sudaifu Muhammadu said. The 27 years old student Sudaiu’s father was fatally shot when walking back home on 9 February. Mahummadu told police that there was a booby-trapped car in the neighborhood.  

The trap was placed by Boko Haram and Boko Haram members found out the one disclosing the plan was Sudaifu Muhammadu. Just a few days after, two masked men hunting down Sudaifu shouted: “Just try that again. Now you are dead”.   

The incident concluded as per a report from the Police that the terrorist of Boko Haram is out in the public places as a civilian.      

6. Boko Haram is directly linked with Al Qaeda.

A regional report from the United Nation claimed, “Apparently Boko Haram had established links with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. some of the group’s  members from Nigeria and Chad had received training in Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb camps in Mali during the summer of 2011.”

Once Al Qaeda was run by history's one of the most dangerous men, Osama Bin Laden.  

7. Boko Haram considers America as one of their enemies.

Currently, the United States is somehow suppressing the Boko Haram but are not able to over this threat yet. In 2011, Boko Haram tied the bonds with Al Qaeda and regained the power.    

The current leader of Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau stated “Do not think jihad is over. Rather jihad has just begun. O America, die with your fury.”