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Boko Haram: Inside Nigeria's Unholy War
Can Boko Haram be stopped?
Leading expert on Nigeria introduces us to the ordinary people on the frontline in the war against one of the most feared terrorist groups
An insurgency in Nigeria by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has left thousands dead, shaken Africa’s biggest country and worried the world. What began as small Islamist sect in the country’s remote northeast, led by a baby-faced but charismatic preacher, has transformed into a hydra-headed monster, deploying suicide bombers and abducting innocent schoolgirls.
Reporting from the ground, Mike Smith traces the roots of this mysterious violent organization and speaks to Nigerians who find themselves caught between frightening insurgents, brutal abusive security forces and an inept government.
Journeying through the sleaze and corruption, which is robbing Africa’s biggest oil producer of its potential and allowing it to become a fertile ground for extremism, the author questions how this unholy war (waged against the backdrop of an evolving extremist threat worldwide) begun and how it might eventually be stopped
Leading expert on Nigeria introduces us to the ordinary people on the frontline in the war against one of the most feared terrorist groups
An insurgency in Nigeria by the Islamist extremist group Boko Haram has left thousands dead, shaken Africa’s biggest country and worried the world. What began as small Islamist sect in the country’s remote northeast, led by a baby-faced but charismatic preacher, has transformed into a hydra-headed monster, deploying suicide bombers and abducting innocent schoolgirls.
Reporting from the ground, Mike Smith traces the roots of this mysterious violent organization and speaks to Nigerians who find themselves caught between frightening insurgents, brutal abusive security forces and an inept government.
Journeying through the sleaze and corruption, which is robbing Africa’s biggest oil producer of its potential and allowing it to become a fertile ground for extremism, the author questions how this unholy war (waged against the backdrop of an evolving extremist threat worldwide) begun and how it might eventually be stopped
233 pages, Hardcover
First published January 30, 2015
About the author
Mike Smith
527 books56 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 31, 2015
My many thanks to Net Galley, the publisher I.B. Tauris and the author Mike Smith for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
Somalia and Nigeria are two hotspots of trouble in Africa. One affected by piracy and the other by militant Islamism. I don't believe in the fundamentalist interpretation of any religion. IMO it is just an excuse to cover bloodthirsty behavior. Islam is a peaceful religion, none of my friends who practice Islam subscribe to the school of thought propagated by the fundamentalist. It is their own greed for power that makes them cloak their fight in the garb of religion to give it legitimacy.
Boko Haram is no different. Emerging through the crucible of Nigeria's impoverished North east region, Boko Haram is using religion to cloak its bloodthirstiness. Mike Smith has forged a convincing tale of emergence of this terror group from its initial years under radical preacher Mohammad Yusuf, the Boko Haram group was based on the Wahabi ideology. Initially attracting followers with his fiery speeches and opposition to Nigerian government rules and thoughts, the group evolved into a ultra conservative terror outfit after Yusufs death and the emergence of his deputy Abubakar Shekhau as the new leader of the group.
Nigeria is a important country in African continent. It has a semblance of democracy and is oil rich. This makes it the de facto leader for growth, prosperity and stability in the African region which is inundated with myriad problems like famine, poverty and ethnic conflicts. Nigeria's is too divided between an impoverished and reeling under the aegis of Boko Haram North and the relatively affluent South with its oil riches. Overall the country is still in doldrums due to deep rooted corruptions and the lack of political will in the Nigerian leadership to grow the country.
The schism between the top elite of the country and the poor is exploited by Boko Haram. Denouncing the government the group emerged initially as trying the overthrow the government to replace it with Islamic Caliphate. But the methods and the legacy left behind by the group is too bloody and too gory to justify any teachings of Islam and the group remains as a terrorist organization in its entirety.
Mike Smith spins a cohesive story about the emergence of the group, the growth under Yusuf, the downturn after Yusuf's death and their bloody reemergence under the aegis of Shekau. It gives insights into the cultural, economic and social crucible that is Nigeria which has forged one of the most deadliest terror outfits in the world today.
Somalia and Nigeria are two hotspots of trouble in Africa. One affected by piracy and the other by militant Islamism. I don't believe in the fundamentalist interpretation of any religion. IMO it is just an excuse to cover bloodthirsty behavior. Islam is a peaceful religion, none of my friends who practice Islam subscribe to the school of thought propagated by the fundamentalist. It is their own greed for power that makes them cloak their fight in the garb of religion to give it legitimacy.
Boko Haram is no different. Emerging through the crucible of Nigeria's impoverished North east region, Boko Haram is using religion to cloak its bloodthirstiness. Mike Smith has forged a convincing tale of emergence of this terror group from its initial years under radical preacher Mohammad Yusuf, the Boko Haram group was based on the Wahabi ideology. Initially attracting followers with his fiery speeches and opposition to Nigerian government rules and thoughts, the group evolved into a ultra conservative terror outfit after Yusufs death and the emergence of his deputy Abubakar Shekhau as the new leader of the group.
Nigeria is a important country in African continent. It has a semblance of democracy and is oil rich. This makes it the de facto leader for growth, prosperity and stability in the African region which is inundated with myriad problems like famine, poverty and ethnic conflicts. Nigeria's is too divided between an impoverished and reeling under the aegis of Boko Haram North and the relatively affluent South with its oil riches. Overall the country is still in doldrums due to deep rooted corruptions and the lack of political will in the Nigerian leadership to grow the country.
The schism between the top elite of the country and the poor is exploited by Boko Haram. Denouncing the government the group emerged initially as trying the overthrow the government to replace it with Islamic Caliphate. But the methods and the legacy left behind by the group is too bloody and too gory to justify any teachings of Islam and the group remains as a terrorist organization in its entirety.
Mike Smith spins a cohesive story about the emergence of the group, the growth under Yusuf, the downturn after Yusuf's death and their bloody reemergence under the aegis of Shekau. It gives insights into the cultural, economic and social crucible that is Nigeria which has forged one of the most deadliest terror outfits in the world today.
April 2, 2015
This book provides a comprehensive account of the development of Boko Haram. It covers events up to the kidnap of the Chibok schoolgirls and the subsequent #Bringbackourgirls campaign. It gives an overview of the historical and economic context for the group’s development.
The author draws on a wide range of sources, including his own experience as a journalist reporting on many of the events in the book. The hard facts are interspersed with eyewitness accounts and stories that highlight the human cost of the killings. It also highlights political failings and allegations of military involvement in brutality.
It’s primarily a descriptive, rather than an analytical book. It doesn’t give much insight into how Boko Haram is formed and how it is funded, or about its relationship with other groups in the region and worldwide. It doesn’t attempt to offer solutions.
If you already have some knowledge of the region and its politics it may not be of interest but it’s a useful introduction if you want to make sense of the issues behind the headlines.
-
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
The author draws on a wide range of sources, including his own experience as a journalist reporting on many of the events in the book. The hard facts are interspersed with eyewitness accounts and stories that highlight the human cost of the killings. It also highlights political failings and allegations of military involvement in brutality.
It’s primarily a descriptive, rather than an analytical book. It doesn’t give much insight into how Boko Haram is formed and how it is funded, or about its relationship with other groups in the region and worldwide. It doesn’t attempt to offer solutions.
If you already have some knowledge of the region and its politics it may not be of interest but it’s a useful introduction if you want to make sense of the issues behind the headlines.
-
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley.
August 5, 2015
A perfectly sound if frenetic look at the sheer assholery of Boko Haram. The soundness comes from Smith's nuance. This book is just as much about the wacky religious beliefs of these IslAmish wannabe throwbacks who eschew "Western education" and things like medical care (unless they get shot) as it is about the dire economic and social situation in Nigeria. Smith isn't making excuses for these shitbags, but he's pointing out that it's not as simple as medieval religiosity and idiocy. Nigeria is a corrupt state where the majority of the population doesn't benefit from the fact that it's the largest economy in Afria, so it's not surprising that pissed-off people rise up. Boko Haram can be seen as a side-effect of this deleterious situation emerging out of a very specific northern context in Nigeria itself.
The frenetic: Smith jumps around a lot. You can always tell a journalist is writing a study like this instead of a historian, because a journalist will always begin chapters and sections with heady, dazed accounts of recent events for the sheer drama of it and then move back to discuss the past and its relation to shocking, TV movie event. Just a minor criticism that many, many works are guilty of.
The frenetic: Smith jumps around a lot. You can always tell a journalist is writing a study like this instead of a historian, because a journalist will always begin chapters and sections with heady, dazed accounts of recent events for the sheer drama of it and then move back to discuss the past and its relation to shocking, TV movie event. Just a minor criticism that many, many works are guilty of.
March 27, 2015
Not particularly well-written, and rather disjointed. Feels like a scrapbook of anecdotes from various players involved, without any coherent elucidation of the situation as a whole. Maybe that's reflective of the confusion and mystery surrounding Boko Haram, and the apparent blatant obfuscation by the Nigerian government for its own political ends. All the same, this book did little to expand my knowledge of one of the world's most urgent crises.
June 27, 2024
Detailed accounts of a group which came into international limelight after the abduction of 276 girls from school in Central Nigeria.
The author provides a timeline of events and emphasis more on the history of the Islamic rule in Nigeria with the colonial expansion of the British.
The author also dives deep into the political instability of the country mainly the Northern muslim and Souther christian tension, widespread corruptions in the govt level & security agency which leaves the people poor even though Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa with high oil prosperity.
The book contains accounts till 2014 which makes it only half way across the activities of Boko Haram, skipping events like changing the tactics mainly to kidnapping to seek International attention, infighting between Islamic state units in Sambisa Forest that ultimately killed Boko Haram's leader Shekau.
As of now the sad reality is 100 girls of the 276 are still missing. #BringBackOurGirls .
The author provides a timeline of events and emphasis more on the history of the Islamic rule in Nigeria with the colonial expansion of the British.
The author also dives deep into the political instability of the country mainly the Northern muslim and Souther christian tension, widespread corruptions in the govt level & security agency which leaves the people poor even though Nigeria is the biggest economy in Africa with high oil prosperity.
The book contains accounts till 2014 which makes it only half way across the activities of Boko Haram, skipping events like changing the tactics mainly to kidnapping to seek International attention, infighting between Islamic state units in Sambisa Forest that ultimately killed Boko Haram's leader Shekau.
As of now the sad reality is 100 girls of the 276 are still missing. #BringBackOurGirls .
July 13, 2015
A readable overview of the terrorist group - Boko Haram. One of the main takeaways is that the "name" is slippery, and applied to a whole grouping of violent groups, ranging from true jihadists to bandits, kidnappers, and other lawless entities in Nigeria (and surrounding countries). Might as well repeat another point or two regarding BH. Individual malcontents and sadists move frequently, probably, between these loose groupings of outlaws. And one shouldn't rule out the possibility of funds and other forms of support for Boko Haram coming from political factions in Nigeria.
The text and information contained is basically quite depressing, as apart from the viciousness and barbaric behavior of the jihadists/bandits themselves, the author spends a substantial amount of text and research describing the equally barbaric and heavy handed tactics of the Nigerian military. That is, when the military is not completely ignoring publicized threats to villages or individuals depending on the foggy whims of commanders and upper "management."
Boko Haram - covering a lot of groups and actions - is flourishing due to Nigerian governance (or the lack thereof), along with sporadic Western (ie US and Western European) attention or inattention to corruption and violence in the country by the powers that be. The author spells out the troubled history of this country cobbled together in the first place by European powers (though they played off warring tribes already degrading each other), followed by oil as a corrupter. Oh, of course there was the Nigerian civil war (Biafra)still haunting the nation ...
The text and information contained is basically quite depressing, as apart from the viciousness and barbaric behavior of the jihadists/bandits themselves, the author spends a substantial amount of text and research describing the equally barbaric and heavy handed tactics of the Nigerian military. That is, when the military is not completely ignoring publicized threats to villages or individuals depending on the foggy whims of commanders and upper "management."
Boko Haram - covering a lot of groups and actions - is flourishing due to Nigerian governance (or the lack thereof), along with sporadic Western (ie US and Western European) attention or inattention to corruption and violence in the country by the powers that be. The author spells out the troubled history of this country cobbled together in the first place by European powers (though they played off warring tribes already degrading each other), followed by oil as a corrupter. Oh, of course there was the Nigerian civil war (Biafra)still haunting the nation ...
July 13, 2021
I think the end of the book sounds it up perfectly: "The debate about Boko Haram, its international links and jihadi ambitions will and should go on, but for those faced with the everyday realties of the violence, it is almost beside the point. The problem is nothing less than the current state of Nigeria and the way it is being robbed daily – certainly of its riches, but more importantly, of its dignity"
July 2, 2019
First-rate reporting, if less than convincing analysis.
November 11, 2019
The causes of the Boko Haram (BH) insurgency in the northeast are many. Some commentators blame it on poverty; others on the entrenched corruption in Nigeria. In this engrossing account of the history and vicious activities of BH, Smith, a journalist with the Associated Press, seems to align with both camps.
“Nigeria… keeps them poor and enriches undeserving, corrupt leaders. In Maiduguri, located near the borders of the neighbouring nations of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the wealthy take up residence in heavily secured mansions while the poor fetch water from wells and signs at roundabouts are written in Arabic, proclaiming ‘Allah is the Provider’. It was amidst this atmosphere that Mohammed Yusuf began to lead his followers.”
It's hard to make the case that poverty has no role in the rise of terrorism and other forms of violent crimes. Even a casual observer, can easily see the connection between terrorism and poverty in the northeast. The northeast has the highest number of uneducated and poor people in Nigeria. They also lack access to basic amenities of life.
In the government White Paper that of the Committee chaired by Abba Moro, then minister of interior, poverty was prominently mentioned as one of the causes of the insurrection.
“With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by Mohammed Yusuf”. To paraphrase the report, the members of the sect are poor people with no sources of livelihood. This point is hard to disagree with, but it overlooks other important factors.
First of all, the direct correlation between poverty and crime is difficult to clearly pinpoint. In fact, numerous studies even argue for the opposite. Most sociologists blame the rise in crimes, including terrorism, on income inequality.
Economists use the Gini coefficient to compare or measure the level of income disparity between individuals, families, communities, states, regions, or countries. The metric condenses the entire income distribution for a state or country into a single number between 0 and 1: the higher the number, the greater the degree of income inequality.
And a consistent finding in most of these studies is that as income inequality grows (i.e., as the graph moves towards 1) crime rates grow too. For example, a community of only poor people has a lower crime rate than a community with income levels disproportionately distributed.
Now, income inequality is arguably the lowest point of capitalism in age. But beyond unfair income distribution that is apparently associated with a free market economic system, corruption is a principal contributor to income inequality, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
Smith made this point abundantly clear. He pointed out that Yusuf began preaching against the ills of society, among which is the democratic system of government and the terrible “corruption” it breeds. Without dispute, most (if not all) of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges are rooted in corruption and ineffective leadership. Corruption created the environment for BH and similar criminal organisations to thrive
The book is extensively researched. The author did a fantastic job in stitching the history of Boko Haram, its vicious and barbaric acts, the factors that led to its creation and why the sect had flourished. He also talked about the equally barbaric and heavy-handed tactics of the Nigerian military. He argued that Boko Haram flourished as it was due to ineffective governance. He spells out the troubled history of this country, pointing out that the manner it was hurriedly cobbled together by the European powers makes it inherently polarised and precarious.
An interesting and important read.
“Nigeria… keeps them poor and enriches undeserving, corrupt leaders. In Maiduguri, located near the borders of the neighbouring nations of Niger, Chad and Cameroon, the wealthy take up residence in heavily secured mansions while the poor fetch water from wells and signs at roundabouts are written in Arabic, proclaiming ‘Allah is the Provider’. It was amidst this atmosphere that Mohammed Yusuf began to lead his followers.”
It's hard to make the case that poverty has no role in the rise of terrorism and other forms of violent crimes. Even a casual observer, can easily see the connection between terrorism and poverty in the northeast. The northeast has the highest number of uneducated and poor people in Nigeria. They also lack access to basic amenities of life.
In the government White Paper that of the Committee chaired by Abba Moro, then minister of interior, poverty was prominently mentioned as one of the causes of the insurrection.
“With no visible means of sustenance, some of the militias gravitated towards religious extremism, the type offered by Mohammed Yusuf”. To paraphrase the report, the members of the sect are poor people with no sources of livelihood. This point is hard to disagree with, but it overlooks other important factors.
First of all, the direct correlation between poverty and crime is difficult to clearly pinpoint. In fact, numerous studies even argue for the opposite. Most sociologists blame the rise in crimes, including terrorism, on income inequality.
Economists use the Gini coefficient to compare or measure the level of income disparity between individuals, families, communities, states, regions, or countries. The metric condenses the entire income distribution for a state or country into a single number between 0 and 1: the higher the number, the greater the degree of income inequality.
And a consistent finding in most of these studies is that as income inequality grows (i.e., as the graph moves towards 1) crime rates grow too. For example, a community of only poor people has a lower crime rate than a community with income levels disproportionately distributed.
Now, income inequality is arguably the lowest point of capitalism in age. But beyond unfair income distribution that is apparently associated with a free market economic system, corruption is a principal contributor to income inequality, especially in developing countries like Nigeria.
Smith made this point abundantly clear. He pointed out that Yusuf began preaching against the ills of society, among which is the democratic system of government and the terrible “corruption” it breeds. Without dispute, most (if not all) of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges are rooted in corruption and ineffective leadership. Corruption created the environment for BH and similar criminal organisations to thrive
The book is extensively researched. The author did a fantastic job in stitching the history of Boko Haram, its vicious and barbaric acts, the factors that led to its creation and why the sect had flourished. He also talked about the equally barbaric and heavy-handed tactics of the Nigerian military. He argued that Boko Haram flourished as it was due to ineffective governance. He spells out the troubled history of this country, pointing out that the manner it was hurriedly cobbled together by the European powers makes it inherently polarised and precarious.
An interesting and important read.
January 8, 2025
It gave a personal touch to the whole Boko Haram incident from my childhood. I was just a pre-teen during the whole period, and I live in Port Harcourt, a southern city, so I was so removed from all the violence in the north, that it might as well have been a crazy story to me. All we could hold to were the conspiracy theories (till today, I know one man who doesn't even believe the Chibok incident actually happened). Although there were fears that they'd come to the South, we never took them seriously as far as I can remember.
When I was 16, in my final year of secondary school, I met a boy, Abubakar, who lived in Borno State and had to flee to the south with his family because of the violence. He gave the story a personal face for me.
I enjoyed the book and liked the lesson in history at the start.
I really wish there would be a revised edition. In 2025, a lot has happened to the whole Boko Haram fight and it would be nice to see a revision.
When I was 16, in my final year of secondary school, I met a boy, Abubakar, who lived in Borno State and had to flee to the south with his family because of the violence. He gave the story a personal face for me.
I enjoyed the book and liked the lesson in history at the start.
I really wish there would be a revised edition. In 2025, a lot has happened to the whole Boko Haram fight and it would be nice to see a revision.
August 20, 2022
Rounded up from like a 2.5, really. Not much more than what I think I could have gotten from a few web searches and Wikipedia. Also, though, he had to tell the same story over and over again to get to book-length: Nigeria is deeply divided, corrupt, and filled with ineffectual institutions. Their elites definitely lack the will to do better. So, the country will get little to no help from the international community because the situation is a no-win nightmare -- and it is unlikely in the extreme that the elites running the country want help. So, the non-elites and non-criminal and non-radical jihadist elements will just suffer horribly. Read that to 211 pages and that's this book.
The book would've been more helpful had it contained any information about Boko Haram. For a journalist based in Nigeria, this was thin.
The book would've been more helpful had it contained any information about Boko Haram. For a journalist based in Nigeria, this was thin.
May 28, 2026
I wish he would dive deeper into the actual stories instead of this rough account of the group's history. Furthermore, the heavy emphasis of Islamic history from colonialism and on was I thought to be filler honestly. While interesting, I was hoping for a deeper dive into Boko Haram attacks. Considering the author was in Nigeria for years, it is disappointing how little he used witness accounts. His focus was on research articles or quotes from other sources. However, to learn some general knowledge about the terrorist group's history and events was nice to know.
June 24, 2024
A useful overview of Boko Haram, it's origins and its operations up until 2013 and the abduction of the Chibok girls.
A bit dated now but this provides a deep dive into the group's beginnings, going as far back as Northern Nigeria's precolonial history and Mohammed Yusuf's early life.
A bit dated now but this provides a deep dive into the group's beginnings, going as far back as Northern Nigeria's precolonial history and Mohammed Yusuf's early life.
September 26, 2019
Enjoyed every bit of it.
January 5, 2024
Kiinnostava teos lähihistoriasta. Kyl täällä suomessa on aika hyvä elää
May 7, 2024
mostly just an info dump on boko haram, not really a critical analysis of the situation
September 16, 2024
Which way, Nigeria? Sighs
June 19, 2015
In “Boko Haram: Inside Nigeria’s Unholy War,” Mike Smith writes with a journalist’s sense of urgency, and with a deep understanding of the history, regions, economics, religions, and politics of Nigeria. Smith rapidly covers one millennium of Western African history as it relates to Nigeria and Islam, which is critical to understanding the current upheaval in this densely populated and poor corner of Africa.
Islam's spread through Africa in the Tenth Century was not without conflict. Throughout the centuries, Islam fought on the defensive and offensive against other religions and cultures. As Islam began to dominate in many regions, including Northern and Central Africa, different factions and dynasties split and infighting occurred. According to Smith, “one of history’s most successful armed jihads occurred in what is today northern Nigeria [Bornu]” in the eighteenth century. Bornu became “an important centre of Islamic learning. Some 300 years later, Boko Haram would take root amid the remnants of that former empire, by then part of Nigeria.”
In the last 100 years, Nigeria formed into one culturally and religiously diverse country, gained independence, underwent several civil wars and coups, became the most populous country in Africa with 170 million people, and “recently overtook South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy strictly in terms of GDP size.”
Nigeria remains a country that is deeply divided by three main regions: the Islamic North, Christian South, and ultra-poor/religiously diverse Delta. Government corruption and corporate racketeering has accelerated animosity, leading to further unrest. Under this tension, Muhammad Yusuf, the first Boko Haram leader, and Abubakar Shekau, his successor, have usurped power in large parts of Northern Nigeria, causing murder, rape, and chaos everywhere they go. The government’s ineffective response, and its disgusting abuse of power, has only fueled the fire.
Smith marvelously fills in the details, navigating the reader through this twisted history. Particularly relevant in light of recent events, Smith touches on a Mohammad cartoon debacle in 2005, Yusuf’s video broadcasts, wikileakes, the horrific April 14, 2014 school kidnapping which captured the attention of the world with the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ slogan, and other major outbreaks and school kidnappings.
I do have one reservation: Smith does not keep to writing linearly; instead he bounces around. For example, in one paragraph he writes about the first two leaders of Boko Haram (early 2000s), in the following paragraph he writes about the 18th century, then the 10th century, then the 18th, then the 13th, then 2014…. I found myself having to reread passages to be sure I was following along. When Smith switches between histories, he’s also switching between names for the same region, which can be exceptionally confusing if you’re not paying careful attention. Even in later chapters that cover the last 5 years, Smith was bouncing between incidents and debacles, making it hard to follow the sequence of events.
Boko Haram: Inside Nigeria is an excellent read; however, it’s important for the reader to know that many things have changed in Nigeria since this book’s recent publication. Namely, Nigeria now has a new president and Boko Haram has officially aligned itself with ISIS. Still, Smith thoroughly catches the reader up through 2014, which is more than a sufficient to follow the news as it’s happening now. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Boko Haram, the changing face of ISIS, and Nigeria.
NetGalley and I.B. Tauris, thank you for providing me with the gracious Advanced Reader Copy. I.B. Tauris, in particular, continues to publish superior non-fiction works, and I’m honored to receive first glimpses at each book published.
Tags: Nonfiction, Military History, Politics, Africa, Western Africa, Muslim, Islam, Religious War, Ethnic War, Terrorism, Nigeria, Boko Haram, ISIS, ISIL, Civil War, Western Education, Muhammad Yusuf, Abubakar Shekau, Kanuris, Mohammad Cartoon, Bring Back Our Girls
Islam's spread through Africa in the Tenth Century was not without conflict. Throughout the centuries, Islam fought on the defensive and offensive against other religions and cultures. As Islam began to dominate in many regions, including Northern and Central Africa, different factions and dynasties split and infighting occurred. According to Smith, “one of history’s most successful armed jihads occurred in what is today northern Nigeria [Bornu]” in the eighteenth century. Bornu became “an important centre of Islamic learning. Some 300 years later, Boko Haram would take root amid the remnants of that former empire, by then part of Nigeria.”
In the last 100 years, Nigeria formed into one culturally and religiously diverse country, gained independence, underwent several civil wars and coups, became the most populous country in Africa with 170 million people, and “recently overtook South Africa as the continent’s biggest economy strictly in terms of GDP size.”
Nigeria remains a country that is deeply divided by three main regions: the Islamic North, Christian South, and ultra-poor/religiously diverse Delta. Government corruption and corporate racketeering has accelerated animosity, leading to further unrest. Under this tension, Muhammad Yusuf, the first Boko Haram leader, and Abubakar Shekau, his successor, have usurped power in large parts of Northern Nigeria, causing murder, rape, and chaos everywhere they go. The government’s ineffective response, and its disgusting abuse of power, has only fueled the fire.
Smith marvelously fills in the details, navigating the reader through this twisted history. Particularly relevant in light of recent events, Smith touches on a Mohammad cartoon debacle in 2005, Yusuf’s video broadcasts, wikileakes, the horrific April 14, 2014 school kidnapping which captured the attention of the world with the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ slogan, and other major outbreaks and school kidnappings.
I do have one reservation: Smith does not keep to writing linearly; instead he bounces around. For example, in one paragraph he writes about the first two leaders of Boko Haram (early 2000s), in the following paragraph he writes about the 18th century, then the 10th century, then the 18th, then the 13th, then 2014…. I found myself having to reread passages to be sure I was following along. When Smith switches between histories, he’s also switching between names for the same region, which can be exceptionally confusing if you’re not paying careful attention. Even in later chapters that cover the last 5 years, Smith was bouncing between incidents and debacles, making it hard to follow the sequence of events.
Boko Haram: Inside Nigeria is an excellent read; however, it’s important for the reader to know that many things have changed in Nigeria since this book’s recent publication. Namely, Nigeria now has a new president and Boko Haram has officially aligned itself with ISIS. Still, Smith thoroughly catches the reader up through 2014, which is more than a sufficient to follow the news as it’s happening now. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning more about Boko Haram, the changing face of ISIS, and Nigeria.
NetGalley and I.B. Tauris, thank you for providing me with the gracious Advanced Reader Copy. I.B. Tauris, in particular, continues to publish superior non-fiction works, and I’m honored to receive first glimpses at each book published.
Tags: Nonfiction, Military History, Politics, Africa, Western Africa, Muslim, Islam, Religious War, Ethnic War, Terrorism, Nigeria, Boko Haram, ISIS, ISIL, Civil War, Western Education, Muhammad Yusuf, Abubakar Shekau, Kanuris, Mohammad Cartoon, Bring Back Our Girls
January 25, 2015
The simplistic view of Nigeria’s Islamic terrorist group is that of rapists, murderers, kidnappers, and instigators of disorder. But it is much more complicated, as Mike Smith outlines in his book, “Boko Haram.” Nigeria, Africa’s leading oil producer and largest country in both population and economy, has a lengthy history of turmoil. Through extensive research and personal involvement, Mike Smith presents his view on the Nigerian conflict and Boko Haram’s role in the disorder.
Although the story of Boko Haram is the theme of the book, Smith goes deep into Nigeria’s history of political intrigue, corruption, and religious disorder as the precursor to the group’s present day existence. It is a confusing and disorienting discourse that eventually gets boring under Smith’s microscope. But once he starts uncovering the soul of the murderous terrorist organization things get interesting. The insurgency and consequence of the group’s activities, although mainly centered in the northern part of Nigeria, ripple throughout the entire country.
Largely unknown to Westerners until the kidnapping of 276 girls from a boarding school in Chibouk in April of 2014, the group actually began to emerge in 2003, following the ravings of a charismatic young preacher named Mohammed Yusuf. Since that time numerous assassinations, kidnappings, violent uprisings, and raids have been attributed to Boko Haram. Although Yusuf was killed in 2009, another leader, Abu-Bakr Shekel, emerged and has frequently appeared in videos taking credit for the group’s violent actions, including kidnappings and beheadings, using a pugnacious and threatening stance.
Boko Haram finances itself through random kidnappings, bank robberies, and other illegal activities. It is a true organization only at the top with cells loosely grouped below that carry out attacks at their own discretion. It is extremely difficult to determine the number of followers, where they are located, and their agenda because of the looseness of the group’s structure. Finding leaders who can be negotiated with to release prisoners or engage in meaningful dialogue is virtually hopeless.
This is an interesting book despite the drone of its tangled historical rhetoric. Not much could be found about the author except that he is a foreign correspondent making his credentials somewhat obscure. Also, a flood of writing about Boko Haram has occurred since the kidnapping, including claims of conspiracy between governments, including the United States, and the terrorists with oil being the primary point of contention. Which accounts have the most credibility is hard to determine. On the surface, Smith’s research and knowledge seems solid.
I suggest the book be read, keeping in mind that further exploration will be necessary to sort out the complicated information. The predatory subject matter is creating immense public interest and I definitely want to read more.
January 16, 2015
The author quotes Chinua Achebe saying "The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. There is nothing basically wrong with the Nigerian character." This quote basically sums up the entire book.
I've read quite a bit on the ongoing conflict in the Congo, the Rwandan genocide, and the Tuareg rebellion, but my knowledge of Nigeria and its recent trouble has been based on sporadic radio reports by NPR and the BBC. So as someone who actively tries to stay knowledgeable on African conflict issues, I was blown away with (and a little embarrassed) by how little I knew about Nigeria- which became immediately clear right from the beginning of this book.
The author does an excellent job of combining history, semi-current events, analysis, and personal commentary. Even though the amount of information was overwhelming at times (though my fault, not the author's), I found the writing style very engaging and easy to understand. He explains Nigeria's current situation by going back in time and breaking down step by step how the original group known as Boko Haram came to be and how subsequent knock-off groups formed. My only problem with this book is that it leaves off at the end of 2013 when, as far as I know, the trouble with the many terrorist splinter groups was still in full swing. I hope he plans to follow it up in a few years time or write an additional chapter when the paperback is released.
Towards the end of the book the author states that "In Nigeria, things are very often not what they seem." While other readers may balk at the lack of hard facts, I appreciated that throughout the text the author would follow up a section with some doubt as to whether what he just reported was true or not. When there is so much deceit and lack of leadership, how can anyone really say what is what.
If you have a real interest in African conflicts, then this is just the book for you to catch you up on recent events in Nigeria. But for others, at over 300 pages this may be a bit much to get through.
I've read quite a bit on the ongoing conflict in the Congo, the Rwandan genocide, and the Tuareg rebellion, but my knowledge of Nigeria and its recent trouble has been based on sporadic radio reports by NPR and the BBC. So as someone who actively tries to stay knowledgeable on African conflict issues, I was blown away with (and a little embarrassed) by how little I knew about Nigeria- which became immediately clear right from the beginning of this book.
The author does an excellent job of combining history, semi-current events, analysis, and personal commentary. Even though the amount of information was overwhelming at times (though my fault, not the author's), I found the writing style very engaging and easy to understand. He explains Nigeria's current situation by going back in time and breaking down step by step how the original group known as Boko Haram came to be and how subsequent knock-off groups formed. My only problem with this book is that it leaves off at the end of 2013 when, as far as I know, the trouble with the many terrorist splinter groups was still in full swing. I hope he plans to follow it up in a few years time or write an additional chapter when the paperback is released.
Towards the end of the book the author states that "In Nigeria, things are very often not what they seem." While other readers may balk at the lack of hard facts, I appreciated that throughout the text the author would follow up a section with some doubt as to whether what he just reported was true or not. When there is so much deceit and lack of leadership, how can anyone really say what is what.
If you have a real interest in African conflicts, then this is just the book for you to catch you up on recent events in Nigeria. But for others, at over 300 pages this may be a bit much to get through.
February 28, 2015
When the name Goodluck Jonathan appeared I had a mental smile. Finally a name I recognized and could pronounce. That was my one and only smile, mental or otherwise. A look at the terrorist group Boko Haram. I have long pondered how a ragtag group of terrorists managed to grow and increasingly run rampant committing ever more daring and deadly atrocities. Already there exists an imitation of if not an actual link to ISIS and almost surely cooperation with Al-Quaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) as well as possibly Al-Shabab. Although claiming to be in the name of religion these terrorists groups go against all that is holy, seeming rather to enjoy the opportunity to rob, rape, plunder and pillage while committing what can only be classified as genocide. I question why America has not stepped in when we as a country seek to eliminate these organizations posing an affront to humanity in the name of religion. This writing provides an examination of the inability or unwillingness of a government to confront and exterminate this plague. It further explains why we as a country stand on the sidelines. Also offering an insight to the question of financial support needed maintain and arm these groups. The most distressing take away is the plight of the inhabitants of this resource rich country, living in poverty and in constant fear of the aggressors. If one is to take for fact the findings of this report the aggressors are not only the terrorists but also those in the employ of the government assigned to protect the public. Although it can be somewhat dry it is a very worthy read for anyone seeking to understand the how and why behind the headline news stories, but the vivid descriptions of carnage will never be included in those headline stories.
May 23, 2015
Even Al-Qaeda has criticized the mindless killing of their fellow Muslims and many civilians by regional groups. When you are being called out by the most renowned terrorist group for being disingenuous to the global cause then I guess everyone else can question the validity of their so-called 'cause.'
What it comes down to is that this group is fuelled by greed and the pleasure of committing violence. The boys and men who are recruited to join, do so because they are interested foremost in financial gain.
The Nigerian President and the government claim that they are trying to cease the violence, but say that the members of the group are faceless ghosts. They stand accused of using military raids to try to flush them out, and yet in doing so harm and kill many innocent civilians.
I think the book could have done with a little more structure from a chronological point of view. I understand wanting to try and give some historical details or an overview to be able to comprehend how and why certain events have taken place, but it was a wee bit all over the place.
However the main focus is and should be this monstrous group of terrorists, which is holding Nigeria and innocent people to ransom, Smith makes valid points about specific connections to other terrorist groups, the corruption of police and state, and the lack of help from other countries. As the title rightly says this isn't a holy war, because Boko Haram is driven by greed and not by religion.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley
What it comes down to is that this group is fuelled by greed and the pleasure of committing violence. The boys and men who are recruited to join, do so because they are interested foremost in financial gain.
The Nigerian President and the government claim that they are trying to cease the violence, but say that the members of the group are faceless ghosts. They stand accused of using military raids to try to flush them out, and yet in doing so harm and kill many innocent civilians.
I think the book could have done with a little more structure from a chronological point of view. I understand wanting to try and give some historical details or an overview to be able to comprehend how and why certain events have taken place, but it was a wee bit all over the place.
However the main focus is and should be this monstrous group of terrorists, which is holding Nigeria and innocent people to ransom, Smith makes valid points about specific connections to other terrorist groups, the corruption of police and state, and the lack of help from other countries. As the title rightly says this isn't a holy war, because Boko Haram is driven by greed and not by religion.
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley
March 25, 2015
This certainly isn't a book that I "really liked." Frankly, I wish that I hadn't read it at all, yet I am so glad that I did! It couldn't be more timely. In fact, it is more relevant then ever, as I read it before Boko Haram declared their allegiance to the IS. 5-stars for helping me to understand (if I can use that word?) the extreme aggression in our world today. But I've only given 4 here for showing me the wretchedness from which there is no place to hide. No, that's unfair. Smith writes with the skill of an investigative journalist, and I'm not accustomed to reading such a lengthy report.
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review on netgalley. It is written with respect for the people involved, knowing that each player acts according to his means. That is what Smith so expertly presents us; the history, the wealth, the corruption and greed that have rocked Nigeria. Every case in point comes back to the painful reality that man disrespects man, and what are we—what am I—doing about it?
I received a free copy in exchange for a fair and honest review on netgalley. It is written with respect for the people involved, knowing that each player acts according to his means. That is what Smith so expertly presents us; the history, the wealth, the corruption and greed that have rocked Nigeria. Every case in point comes back to the painful reality that man disrespects man, and what are we—what am I—doing about it?
March 20, 2016
Sehr interessant und sehr gut zum Lesen
Das Buch beginnt zeitlich im 14. Jahrhundert und liefert einen schnellen Überblick bis zu den Anfängen von Boko Haram. Ab da geht der Autor natürlich detaillierter auf die Geschichte ein. In den folgenden 5 Kapiteln beschreibt Mike Smith die Geschichte von Nigeria und speziell Boko Haram bis zum Mai 2015.
Das Buch ist sehr interessant und sehr gut zu Lesen. Es ist verständlich geschrieben und man hat keine Probleme, dem Autor zu folgen. Man wird nicht mit Zahlen und Namen überfrachtet, so dass man jederzeit weiß, worum und um welche Person es gerade geht. Für dieses Buch braucht man kein Vorwissen über das Thema, höchstens ein wenig über den Islam.
Schön ist auch, dass Mike Smith selbst 3 Jahre dort gelebt hat und daher auch die Dinge aus der Nähe erzählen kann. Zusätzlich lässt er auch Einheimische zu Wort kommen, was auch nicht selbstverständlich ist.
Von mir bekommt das Buch 5 Sterne, da ich davon sehr angetan bin. Um mehr über Boko Haram und die damit verbundene Geschichte Nigerias zu erfahren, ist dieses Buch sehr gut geeignet.
Das Buch beginnt zeitlich im 14. Jahrhundert und liefert einen schnellen Überblick bis zu den Anfängen von Boko Haram. Ab da geht der Autor natürlich detaillierter auf die Geschichte ein. In den folgenden 5 Kapiteln beschreibt Mike Smith die Geschichte von Nigeria und speziell Boko Haram bis zum Mai 2015.
Das Buch ist sehr interessant und sehr gut zu Lesen. Es ist verständlich geschrieben und man hat keine Probleme, dem Autor zu folgen. Man wird nicht mit Zahlen und Namen überfrachtet, so dass man jederzeit weiß, worum und um welche Person es gerade geht. Für dieses Buch braucht man kein Vorwissen über das Thema, höchstens ein wenig über den Islam.
Schön ist auch, dass Mike Smith selbst 3 Jahre dort gelebt hat und daher auch die Dinge aus der Nähe erzählen kann. Zusätzlich lässt er auch Einheimische zu Wort kommen, was auch nicht selbstverständlich ist.
Von mir bekommt das Buch 5 Sterne, da ich davon sehr angetan bin. Um mehr über Boko Haram und die damit verbundene Geschichte Nigerias zu erfahren, ist dieses Buch sehr gut geeignet.
January 22, 2015
If I had to describe this book in one sentence, it would be apt to say it is a detailed historical account of how Boko Haram started and gained momentum. The book gives an insight into what went on in Nigeria which had people supporting Boko Haram in the initial days. Of how Western democracy was seen as the problem because the way they saw Western democracy was elites lining their pockets while leaving the poor, even poorer. In such circumstances, leaders claiming that the Western education, Western ways were the root cause of all evil, is easy to accept and understand.
The author has done a great job of capturing in great detail the insurgency in Nigeria. The rating is reflective of the fact that for me, it was a painful read. Probably because of the violence and the sadness, which is inevitable in a book like this, but if you want a comprehensive read of Boko Haram, this is a good book to pick up.
The author has done a great job of capturing in great detail the insurgency in Nigeria. The rating is reflective of the fact that for me, it was a painful read. Probably because of the violence and the sadness, which is inevitable in a book like this, but if you want a comprehensive read of Boko Haram, this is a good book to pick up.
December 22, 2014
I am just a person that reads and occasionally watches world news online. Meaning, I'm no expert on the subject other than what BBC has been showing me, nor did I fact-check the book. With my limited knowledge, I can say I found this book very informative and interesting in it's own way.
That said, I'm giving it a 4/5, because while I did like it, the writing style could've been better as it's very important while writing/reading non-fiction books. It's the writing and the information it includes that keep the reader interested and while it was well-written for the most part, especially at first, it started to lack this after a while. Apart from that, while I wouldn't use this for references, it provides good and, contrary to many sources I could find about the subject, orderly information. 4/5
That said, I'm giving it a 4/5, because while I did like it, the writing style could've been better as it's very important while writing/reading non-fiction books. It's the writing and the information it includes that keep the reader interested and while it was well-written for the most part, especially at first, it started to lack this after a while. Apart from that, while I wouldn't use this for references, it provides good and, contrary to many sources I could find about the subject, orderly information. 4/5
March 5, 2015
Wow. I took like a three month hiatus from reading and I just now finished this book. It was often times incredibly sad and appalling at the way Nigeria's government handles (or doesn't handle) any type of terrorist action. Reading the book made me feel like it's a country full of con men and innocent bystanders being taken out one by one.
Obviously this is only one man's opinion and honestly we often times see the same conspiracies and corruption in America it just so happens our government will actually pretend to be doing something where as the Nigerian government says it does something when in reality it sits back with its hands above its head in surrender.
I have no desire to visit Nigeria any time soon and truly hope that the situation in some way changes for the better over there.
Obviously this is only one man's opinion and honestly we often times see the same conspiracies and corruption in America it just so happens our government will actually pretend to be doing something where as the Nigerian government says it does something when in reality it sits back with its hands above its head in surrender.
I have no desire to visit Nigeria any time soon and truly hope that the situation in some way changes for the better over there.
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April 16, 2015Marking as DNF at 40%.
There's quite a bit of history to get through before you reach the current state of affairs in Nigeria. While I'll agree that it adds to the overall picture, I'm not sure how much of it was necessary.
I was expecting more narrative non-fiction, something along the lines of Rock the Casbah. That's not the case here. What I did read, though, of Boko Haram's actions beginning in 2009, made me want to keep reading. I may pick this up again at a later date.
Copy provided by the publisher.
There's quite a bit of history to get through before you reach the current state of affairs in Nigeria. While I'll agree that it adds to the overall picture, I'm not sure how much of it was necessary.
I was expecting more narrative non-fiction, something along the lines of Rock the Casbah. That's not the case here. What I did read, though, of Boko Haram's actions beginning in 2009, made me want to keep reading. I may pick this up again at a later date.
Copy provided by the publisher.
April 19, 2016
Quick, seemingly fair, journalist's rundown on Boko Haram and the organization's impact on Northeast Nigeria. Written for the #BringBackOurGirls audience-- caring, interested, a good mix of sweeping and detailed history, and concluding with events leading up to the kidnap of 300+ girls in Chibok and its immediate aftermath.
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