Understand The Individual And Psychological Aspects Of Boko Haram

Boko Haram is a Nigerian terrorist organization, meaning western education is forbidden; however, they refer to themselves as “Jama’atu Ahl as-Sunnah li-Da’awati wal-Jihad.” The organization is primarily known as a domestic terrorist organization, but it has gained an international spotlight with its allegiance to Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, as well as the kidnapping of over 200 schoolgirls in Borno State (national counterterrorism center).

It is important to understand the individual and psychological aspects of terrorism because it brings us to the core of the terrorist organization, especially in regards to recruitment. The US Institute of Peace conducted a study in 2013 and found that youth are more vulnerable to recruitment and radicalization,

Terrorism can be motivated by the need for an organization to survive and/or the outcome of an organization’s internal dynamics (Crenshaw, 74). This can be distinctly seen from the shift in Boko Haram’s leadership. Prior to 2009, Boko Haram was primarily nonviolent and under the leadership of Muhammad Yusuf; however, this changed when Boko Haram reacted violently to an encounter with the police, enforcing a motorbike helmet law. This incident sparked several days of riots and ended with the death of hundreds of Boko Haram members, including Yusuf (Elkaim). There was a thought that Boko Haram would not survive this, but the organization re-emerged as a brutal insurgency under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau (Alfred). Shekau led the organization to become more and more violent with kidnappings, raiding towns and villages; bombings; suicide bombings; and arson (threat report). As violence escalated, the community became less acceptant and recruits no longer volunteered to join Boko Haram, they were coerced (Alfred). This can be understood as Shekau trying to reclaim a grip on the organization and continue its survival through the use of terrorism and