Violent Islamic group Boko Haram has maintained a presence in the north of Nigeria despite government efforts to control unrest. It continues to disrupt civilian safety and educational opportunities.
Nigeria has seen a recent spike in violent activity in the north-east as a result of militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Over 100 attacks have already occurred this year, with many more dead and injured as a result.
The group’s name, which translates to local Hausa language as ‘Western education is forbidden’, has caused major havoc in the country since 2009. It fights to make Northern Nigeria an Islamic state, using terrorist attacks as political statements.
North-eastern Nigeria has been its main base ever since its establishment back in 2002 by late founder Muhammed Yusuf. The group has caused bombings, general civilian attacks, and is responsible for many abductions of school children and college students.
The most notorious of these was the 2014 mass kidnapping of over 275 girls from a boarding school in Chibok, Borno State, which drew global attention. A major campaign was launched to bring the girls back, though attacks like these remain commonplace even today.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Federal Capital Authority (FCA) issued a press statement concerning the current national security situation on Monday 14th June 2021.
Signed by Rev. Jechonia Albert, Public Relations of the Association, he stressed that poor civilian security – mostly in the north – is preventing rural farmers from being able to grow food.
This could increase food shortage in the near future and affect the country’s food supply.
‘Without mincing words, the current state of the nation has plunged the vast majority of the people into hunger, poverty, frustration, and despondency,’ part of the statement read.
Additionally, CAN expressed concern at the Boko Haram insurgents causing mayhem on Nigerians, killing innocent people and taking communities hostage.
In states like Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara and Katsina, children often avoid attending school in fear of abduction. Parents pay ransoms in the millions for the release of their children from abductors – it is a very real and serious threat.
In addition, thousands of Nigerians have been rendered homeless by bandits in northern rural communities, with reports suggesting attacks occur on a regular, daily basis.
What does this mean for Nigerian children?
This unrest is having a detrimental affect on children’s education, especially in the north of the country.
Children can easily be recruited into militia groups such as Boko Haram and used in killings. In December 2020, for example, Boko Haram kidnapped 33 boys and only a handful managed to escape unharmed.
In April this year, the group seized control of Kaure District, a remote community in the Niger State. Over 3,000 citizens reportedly fled the area and violence is expected to increase throughout the year as a result.
Efforts by security agencies to combat attacks like these and guarantee civilian safety seem to be largely ineffective, at least right now. Many state soldiers have been killed and wounded, with casualty numbers high enough to equate to front line warfare in some states.
As it stands, the jihadist organization threatens not only the stability of Africa’s largest oil producer, but also the political, economic, and security interests in Africa.
Only time will tell if the Nigerian government can improve the safety of its citizens and secure educational opportunities for Gen Zers.
I’m Derrick (He/Him), a Journalism and Mass Communication graduate from the Technical University of Mombasa, Kenya. Currently I write about trending topics and major issues affecting Africa for Thred, specifically concerning SDGs. View my Twitter here if you’d like to send me feedback.
Through fear of being plastered with the label ‘greenwasher,’ companies are withholding details of their climate targets, progress, and even sustainable milestones. This burgeoning issue is being called ‘greenhushing.’
Exposing companies for greenwashing tactics is supposed to bring about increased transparency, but for some, the mere possibility of being tarred with this brush is enough to avoid all communication on anything related to sustainability.
We’ve seen countless times in recent years how baseless green claims can...
There’s a stark contrast in the way we respond to female versus male sporting victory. It’s time we asked ourselves why.
When England’s Lionesses clinched a historic back-to-back UEFA Women’s Euro title with their 2-1 victory over Spain on Sunday, celebrations erupted across the country.
Fans flocked to Trafalgar Square, brands rushed to post congratulatory graphics, and news channels cleared their schedules to show the game live on not one, but...
Falling birthrates are reshaping the modern world. But the loudest voices framing it as a crisis reveal deeper anxieties about power, tradition, and who gets to inherit the future.
It has become a familiar refrain: people aren’t having babies, and the world as we know it is on the brink. In the UK, the fertility rate dropped to 1.49 children per woman in 2022, from 1.55 in 2021. Besides the...
Women’s football is not just changing the commercial landscape of sport. It’s redefining what football looks and feels like, from the pitch to the culture that surrounds it.
For over a century, football has been dominated by the aesthetics of aggression: chest-pounding celebrations, tunnel brawls, and tabloid-fuelled egos.
This cultural mythology – historically shaped by the men’s game – has leaned heavily on narratives of dominance, tribalism, and stoicism. But the...
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.
0 Comments
