By Adeniyi Funsho, MA Media and Strategic Communications ’22
The latest bombing attack of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train by Boko Haram speaks to the continuous reign of terrorism, and extremist narratives against Nigeria. The latest attack is coming off the back of countless others that spread from the northeast to as far as the south of Nigeria. Nigeria, a former British colony has gone through several turbulent moments in its history as a nation leading to it becoming a democratic state, running a democratic system. As a nation, its master narrative is rooted in its diverse culture, tribes, religions, and hard-fought democracy. One threat to Nigeria’s master narrative is Boko Haram, an Islamic group founded by Mohammed Yusuf, which grew out of a cell of Muslim clergies and followers in Maiduguri, a state in the northeastern region of Nigeria. Since 2009, Boko Haram has been disrupting both the economic, and social life of Nigerians with a total of over 34,000 deaths, the latest killing of passengers traveling in a train bound for Kaduna adds to the increasing number of deaths by the terrorist group.
Courtesy of Vanguard News: Abuja-Kaduna bound train attacked by Boko Haram killing over 15 passengers and over 200 wounded.
Boko Haram translates to ‘no to western education,’ and western ideologies describe the archetype of its master narrative as a group that is completely opposed to westernization. Unlike other ethnic militias, Boko Haram does not appropriate its ethnic Kanuri nationalist rhetoric to demand national representation for the northeast region within the Nigerian democratic system; instead, Boko Haram’s goal is the pursuit of an Islamic caliphate, a political structure, and a system of government based on Tawid ‘God’ law. Boko Haram is in opposition to what it calls ‘man-made’ laws of western democracy and the westernized culture under which the Nigerian system operates. Most importantly, however, we need to understand that Boko Haram’s narratives are founded on the “Salafi-jihadi” movement of Islam, a modern-day movement traceable to the middle east which developed roots connecting it to northern Nigeria. Their beliefs are predicated on a “Quran-only” doctrine, that strongly rejects westernized culture, and systems, owing to that reason the earliest people that first came into contact with the group branded them ‘Boko Haram’ a narrative that describes their utopia of ‘no to education’.
Specifically, Boko Haram’s Salafi-jihadi “Quran-only” identity reveals the ‘Islamist extremism’ ideology of the group, how they think, how they organize, the goals they pursue, and the reason why their narrative and activities are engrained in tough-talk and violent videos laundered through the media ecology. We get an understanding of their strategic narrative and the reason why they see an Islamic state as jihadism, and the only solution to resolve their issues with Nigeria. Boko Haram’s narratives for an Islamic state which previously appeared to have been ignored by the Nigerian state and international audiences got international attention when in April 2014, it ransacked the small town of Chibok, Maiduguri, and kidnapped 276 Chibok schoolgirls returning from school. In its messaging to Nigeria and the rest of the world, Boko Haram released a video via YouTube showing the girls as a ransom for the release of its members, and demands for an Islamic state. Nigeria’s counternarrative of peace and the use of Islamic commands on education as an appeal to Boko Haram to release the girls failed. However, it succeeded in destroying the conditions that make Boko Haram’s narratives plausible, communicable, and intelligible. It galvanized international and local nonstate actors, and media to frame the counternarrative of #BringBackOurGirls emphasizing the urgency for their unconditional release and their immutable right to education.
Courtesy of Channels News: Images of Chibok Schoolgirls that escaped from Boko Haram’s Kidnapping Camp
In order for Nigeria to counter Boko Haram’s extremist narratives, it should frame Boko Haram in a way that counters the group as following a false narrative of the ideology of true Islam. Framing should be crafted on peace and not violence, and Nigeria should heighten its frames on Islam as a religion that entertains peace ‘salam’ as its identity and one that abhors violence. Most importantly, Nigeria’s frames should heighten the sayings of the Islamic prophet on education and the ones whereby he implored its followers to live in peace and tolerance with their neighbors.
This should be supported by strategic use of the media ecology to counter the Boko Haram identity narrative of ‘no to education’. Nigeria’s counternarrative to Boko Haram should be based on the true Islamic authority of the prophet of Islam as he expressed his love for knowledge and enjoined his followers to seek education even if it were to be as far as China!
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The opinions expressed in this blog are those of the author. They do not express the views of the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication or the George Washington University.
Adeniyi Funsho in 5 elucidating paragraphs tracked the trajectory of Boko Haram since its infamous emanation, the havoc the bloodthirsty group has wreaked on Nigeria and its unholy projection and misrepresentation of Islam through the emblem of violence. One of the most pungent punches Adeniyi’s analysis packed is recalling the admonition of Prophet Muhammad to all adherents to live in peace and tolerate their neighbours. Boko Haram’s mission is self-serving. Its ideology runs counter to the core philosophy of Islam. Nigeria and indeed the entire world needs to frame Boko Haram as anti-Islam to wean it of any sympathy among Muslims and isolate it as an agent of evil. The only reason Boko Haram has thrived for so long is the failure of the West to throw their full weight behind the efforts to exterminate this aberration. Nigeria also initially was woeful in its response to the Boko Haram perfidy but its seems to be back on the redeeming path of fully confronting this evil. The Boko Haram tragedy needs more than the desultory steps we have seen so far, particularly from the West to wipe it out.
This is a fascinating piece of work that captures some of the dire realities of Nigeria’s current struggle with terrorism. Since 2009, security in Nigeria has been a front burner issue. Adeniyi has not only captured the situation but has offered certain angles to begin to consider solutions to these problems. Very well done Adeniyi. We need more great thinkers like you.
Adeniyi, this was a great analysis on what has been happening in Nigeria under the threat of Boko Haram and how the two sides talk about what Nigeria should be as a nation. I was not as familiar with the background of Boko Haram, so this was very helpful in providing necessary related information and understanding what their end goal is. I think you’re spot on with Nigeria needing to tap into the peaceful messaging of Islam and the emphasis on education to counter Boko Haram’s narrative especially with younger generations using relevant media ecology.
I do have a question, has the use of these narratives by Boko Haram resonated with people in Nigeria? I think we typically look at that as an increase in individuals who associate themselves with the group. Understanding how Boko Haram spreads their narrative and if are there internal conditions within Nigeria, such as government corruption or lack of education, that has allowed Boko Haram’s messaging to be received by a wider audience could help with how Nigeria uses what narratives where.
I find this article to very insightful especially because it sheds important light on the perspectives of the Boko Haram. I’m particularly appreciative of the closing segments on the need for framing and counter narrative to the Boko Haram campaign. It is important that contrary to the violence underpinning the Boko Haram onslaught, peace is upheld not just from the name of the religion but as an independent aspect of the ideology of Islam and thus circumscribing all facets of its practice. I recommend the article for all who care about the effects of Boko Haram and are thus desirous to see to its total and permanent end in our society. For the government of Nigeria, what this article underscores is the need for the engagement of professional image launders so as to reverse and eliminate the scourge of the BH in the country.
Hi Adeniyi – I think this is a terrifically written and researched piece on the significant impact of extremist narratives in Nigeria and how, if utilized to their fullest extent, counter-narratives could be an effective way to combat these impacts. You provide a very succinct history of Boko Haram, highlighting the formation of the group’s effective extremist narrative structure. I really enjoyed reading your recommendation section. It makes a strong argument for how to formulate a counter-narrative that emphasizes how Boko Haram is actually acting against the perception of “true Islam.
In taking this analysis further, I think it would be interesting to investigate the strong identity narratives used by Boko Haram and understand how emotional frames provide a unique challenge to counter-terrorism messages as individuals closely tie their prior beliefs and emotions with pieces of their identities. This could offer a strong jumping-off point for new counter-terrorism efforts in Nigeria.
Adeniyi – this is a very well written and well-researched piece on extremist narratives in Nigeria. Thank you for your insights. The historical context you provided was very useful, as I am not well versed in Boko Haram. I so appreciate this recommendation: “Most importantly, Nigeria’s frames should heighten the sayings of the Islamic prophet on education and the ones whereby he implored its followers to live in peace and tolerance with their neighbors.” as you are recommending tapping into their own system narrative to beat out Boko Haram. That is how meaningful action takes place. I would be interested in hearing more about Boko Haram’s narratives and how they are able to attract supporters – so we can further know how Nigeria can displace them.
I agree that it is in Nigeria’s best interest to counter Boko Haram’s narrative in a peaceful way and one that acknowledges the Islamic religion. It is evident that Nigeria can garner support in the international sphere when it comes to specific issues, such as Boko Haram’s kidnapping of girls. However, it will not be Nigeria’s challenge to counter Boko Haram’s narratives more broadly, and ensure that their master narratives are not diminished. It will be important going forward that Boko Haram feels their ideas are being listened to however, as they felt before 2014 that they were being ignored. Nigeria may want to consider making their messaging more targeted and directed at Boko Haram going forward. Boko Haram understands the international support that Nigeria has, and may feel Nigeria’s messaging is not always intended for them. Are there any specific sub-groups or individuals in Nigeria that you think would be particularly credible in delivering the country’s messaging in the future?
Hi Adeniyi, your blog succinctly depicts who Boko Haram is and what it stands for in Nigeria. I found the discussion on how its identity does not revolve around ethnicity at all as can be the case in states with multiple ethnic groups but rather on Salafi-Jihadist ideology. Through your article we can see the Caliphate vs the West narrative that is prevalent among many Islamic extremist groups. Addtionally, your discussion on how the governemnt of Nigeria used Islam to promote education reveals how this group is not necessarily following Islam but its own motives disguised as the pursuit of Islam. Your recommendations on how the Nigerian state might combat Boko Haram are effective. I wonder about what Nigeria is doing in terms of rehabilitation for people freed from Boko Haram capture. I also wonder how the government is countering Boko Haram narratives outside of the Islamic frame. How are they inspiring those who are most at risk of conversion to not join?
Adeniyi, thank you for including comprehensive background information on Boko Haram and Nigeria. I thought it was particularly wise of you to include a little about Nigeria’s history as a British colony, and its fight for a democracy. This bit of information emphasized the threat to democratic norms that Boko Haram poses, and underscored why Nigeria is committed to preserving its secular state. I agree with your conclusion that Nigeria’s best shot at countering Boko Haram’s narrative is to use the pillars of Islam to counter their message. Particularly, it will be the most effective counter-terrorism narrative to persuade those most susceptible to Boko Haram’s messaging. As Jesse pointed out, I’m curious how the government is rehabilitating those who have left, and how they are actively trying to prevent further recruitment.