Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad
| Abbreviation: | JAS, Boko Haram |
|---|---|
| Founder: | Mohammed Yusuf |
| Founding Location: | Nigeria |
| Founding Year: | 2002 |
| Fields: | Politics |
| Slogan: | Western civilization is a sin. |
| Case File: | Terrorist Organizations Main Page |
Boko Haram, officially known as Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da'wa wa al-Jihad (JAS), is a self-proclaimed jihadist militant group based in northeastern Nigeria. Founded in 2002 by Mohammed Yusuf, the group seeks to overthrow the Nigerian government and establish an Islamic state governed by strict Sharia law. It is widely regarded as one of the deadliest armed organizations in recent history, having caused nearly 40,000 casualties and displaced over 2.4 million people since 2009.
The group's name, Boko Haram, translates to "Western education is forbidden" in the Hausa language, reflecting its opposition to secular education and Western influence. However, the group has stated this translation is a misrepresentation, claiming the true meaning is "Western civilization is a sin." Boko Haram is ideologically rooted in Salafi jihadism, Wahhabism, and Takfirism, and has targeted Christians, Muslims deemed heretical, government institutions, schools, and foreign interests.
After pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (IS) in 2015, Boko Haram split in 2016 into two factions:
Jama'at Ahl al-Sunna (JAS), led by Abubakar Shekau until his death in May 2021, known for extreme violence and brutal tactics. Islamic State's West Africa Province (ISWAP), led by Abu Musab al-Barnawi, which has pursued a more strategic, less indiscriminate approach. Despite claims of being "technically defeated" by Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari in 2019, Boko Haram has experienced a resurgence under new leadership, including Bakura Doro (since 2022). The group remains active across Nigeria, Chad, Niger, and northern Cameroon, continuing to conduct attacks, abductions, and suicide bombings. It is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by the U.S. State Department and a terrorist group by the United Nations, EU, and other international bodies.
The conflict has led to a major humanitarian crisis, with over 300,000 deaths and widespread food insecurity in the Lake Chad Basin region.
Remains a major threat in Nigeria and Cameroon, with deadly assaults including a mass killing in Yobe State.
