Boko Haram, whose name means “Western education is a sin,” has been terrorizing Nigeria since the early 2000s. Its ultimate goal is to overthrow the Nigerian government, a government that very closely mirrors the American political system. The group targets governmental organizations, humanitarian relief workers and others it sees as a threat to its mission to establish an extremist regime. Boko Haram has dominated northern Nigeria for more than a decade. Now, as it continues to gain momentum, branches of the extremist group have spread to central Nigeria as well. In March of 2015, Boko Haram allied itself with ISIS. There is no human force in Nigeria more destructive or more dangerous than Boko Haram, and there are many innocents that fall victim to its brutality.
In early February of 2016, Boko Haram attacked the village of Dalori in northeastern Nigeria. Members of the group firebombed huts while suicide bombers rushed into the fight. The attack last nearly four hours. Eighty-six people died, many of whom were children. According to eye-witness reports, many of the children who died were burned alive after the militants firebombed their homes. This was the group’s most recent attack.
In 2014, 200 Nigerian Muslim girls were kidnapped from their school by Boko Haram. The raid horrified the world, as few of the girls were found within the first several months. First Lady Michelle Obama tried to raise awareness with #bringbackourgirls. The social media campaign did little for the victims. Two years later, most of the 200 girls remain missing. It is speculated that they were forced into marrying Boko Haram militants or sold into sex slavery. It may never be known what happened to these girls. There is no telling what horrors Boko Haram is capable of beyond what the group has already accomplished. After two years, the only thing left to do may be to wait and see what the future will bring.
One group that is constantly under threat of Boko Haram is Nigerian Christians. The two most prominent religions in Nigeria are Christianity and Islam. In the city of Kaduna, Nigeria, Christians and Muslims coexisted as neighbors. They would associate freely with one another. Their children attended the same schools and played together as friends. They even married members of the other religion. Boko Haram, however, soon began persecuting Christians in the region. The group carried out several bombings of Christians churches in Kaduna and surrounding areas. Once the bombings started, the Christian and Muslim community was divided. Fear and suspicion segregated the city. The people of Kaduna stopped leaving their homes after sundown for fear that Boko Haram was lurking in the shadows. Women stopped carrying handbags if they were walking alone. Christians and Muslims ceased most if not all social interaction. Metal detectors were installed at the doors of Christian churches. What had once been known as everyday life ended for the people of Kaduna once Boko Haram swept through their city.
Intolerance has not completely severed ties between Christians and Muslims, however. Civilians have taken it upon themselves to change the situation for the better. The Christian Association of Kaduna works to conquer the social stigma surrounding Muslims in local communities. The message is that most Muslims are good, decent people. They do not deserve to be hated and feared because of the actions of extremists. The Christian Association of Kaduna emphasizes the idea of tolerance and brotherhood. These ideals are intended to conquer hate. Hate is the root of so many problems in Nigeria. It is hate that divides communities. Hate fuels the actions of Boko Haram. For Nigerians, hate is as much a disease as any ailment they face now. It kills. It destroys lives. If it can be eradicated, there is no telling how many lives will be saved.
