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Boko Haram history

  • Islamic militants begin to surface in splinter groups

    Islamic militants begin to surface in splinter groups
    Pockets of Islamic militants opposing Western Education began to surface in splinter groups in the Northeastern parts of Nigeria, particularly Yobe State. They were flushed out by the military, but have however since regrouped and have become deadlier than ever.
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    Boko Haram reign of terror in Nigeria, by Segun Adeoye

    Boko Haram Islamist sect has remained a terror in Nigeria, with thousands killed, kidnapped, maimed, and many more rendered homeless as a result of its deadly activities, illustrated in this timeline by Segun Adeoye.
  • Mohammed Yusuf, sect's leader allegedly killed by Police

    Mohammed Yusuf, sect's leader allegedly killed by Police
    Police allegedly kill Boko Haram leader, Mohammed Yusuf, in police cell after soldiers, who arrested him, handed him over alive.
    The announcement came hours after police said they had captured him in the city of Maiduguri. His followers were blamed for violence in the northern part of Nigeria that led to death of more than 300 people.
  • Boko Haram attacks prison in Bauchi

    Boko Haram attacks prison in Bauchi
    Boko Haram launches attack on Bauchi prison. Members numbering about 50 carried out the attack. About 721 prisoners escaped the prison.
  • Attack on barracks on outskirt of Abuja

    Attack on barracks on outskirt of Abuja
    Adetokunbo Kayode, Nigeria's minister of defence, noted that four people including a pregnant woman, were killed when gunmen believed to be members of Boko Haram, attacked a barracks on the outskirts of Abuja. He said all of the dead were civilians, as were most of the injured.
  • Cleric killed for criticizing Boko Haram activities

    Members of the sect believed to be responsible for the assassination of a Muslim Cleric Imam Ibrahim Ahmed Abdullahi, which they accused to have criticized them and their activities in the North.
  • Boko Haram attacks prison in Yola, Adamawa, frees 14

    Boko Haram attacks prison in Yola, Adamawa, frees 14
    Members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect attack prison in Yola, Adamawa State, freeing 14 prisoners in the process. It bacame an hallmark of the sect as they attack police stations and free inmates.
  • Boko Haram attacks several communities in northern Nigeria

    Boko Haram attacks several communities in northern Nigeria, as it sought to further expand its territory.
  • Boko Haram claims responsibility for attack on Abuja police HQ

    Boko Haram claims responsibility for attack on Abuja police headquarters, as part of its fight of Western education.
  • Boko Haram bombs beer center in Maiduguri, Borno

    Boko Haram bombs beer center in Maiduguri, Borno
    Boko Haram bombs beer garden in Maiduguri, Borno, leaving 25 killed, 12 injured.
  • University of Maiduguri shut down over Boko Haram threats

    University of Maiduguri shut down over Boko Haram threats
    Threats of Boko Haram attacks cause University of Maiduguri to be shut down.
  • Liman Bana, another Islamic cleric killed by Boko Haram

    Boko Haram shoots dead Liman Bana, another prominent Islamic cleric
  • UN building in Abuja attacked by suicide bomber

    UN building in Abuja attacked by suicide bomber
    A suicide bomber and member of the dreaded Islamic sect rammed a car laden with explosives through two gates and blew up the United Nation's building, killing at least 16 people and shattering part of the concrete structure.
    A car laden with explosives rammed through two gates and blew up at the United Nations' offices in Nigeria's capital Friday,
  • Coordinated attacks on Damaturu, Yobe State capital

    Coordinated attacks on Damaturu, Yobe State capital
    Coordinated attacks on Damaturu, capital of Yobe State resulting in the killing of more than 100 people, injuring hundreds more. A spokesperson for Boko Haram later claimed responsibility and promised "more attacks are on the way".
  • Two bombs exploded at Catholic Church, Madalla on Christmas Day

    Two bombs exploded at Catholic Church, Madalla on Christmas Day
    Two bombs exploded during Christmas church service at a Catholic church today in Madalla near Suleja, Niger state killing at least 20 persons and injuring several others. Christmas day worshippers at St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Madalla near Abuja in Niger State were affected by the blasts.
  • Boko Haram claims responsibility for Kaduan army headquarters bombing

    Boko Haram claims responsibility for Kaduna army headquarters bombing.
  • Boko Haram frees more prisoner, in prison attack

    Another prison break staged in central Nigeria; 119 prisoners are released, one warden killed.
  • Italian, British captives killed in Sokoto

    Efforts to free Italian, British captives abducted by Boko Haram fails as they’re killed before they could be rescued in Sokoto.
  • Kaduna churches attacked by Boko Haram suicide bombers

    Boko Haram suicide bombers attack 3 Kaduna churches, killing 50.
  • 130 bodies found in Plateau State

    130 bodies were found in Plateau State. It is presumed they were killed by Boko Haram terrorists.
  • Suicide bombers target THISDAY newspapers offices in Abuja, Kaduna

    Suicide bombers target THISDAY newspapers offices in Abuja, Kaduna
    Suicide car bombers attacke THISDAY newspaper offices in Abuja and northern city of Kaduna, killing at least four people in apparently coordinated strikes. Boko Haram later claimed responsibility.
  • Nigeria army says it killed Abu Qaqa

    Nigerian army arrests Boko Haram militants, says it killed Abu Qaqa, leader of the group.
  • Sultan calls for Amnesty for Boko Haram members

    Notable Islamic leader in northern Nigeria, the Sultan calls for Amnesty for Boko Haram members.
  • Suicide bombers attack Kano bus stop, kill 22, 65 injured

    Suicide bombers attack Kano bus stop, kill 22, 65 injured
  • Pres. Jonathan sets up Boko Haram Amnesty committee

    Pres. Jonathan sets up Boko Haram Amnesty committee
    President Goodluck Jonathan sets up Boko Haram Amnesty committee.
  • Apr 17, 2013 – Jonathan sets up amnesty implementation committee

    Apr 17, 2013            –      Jonathan sets up amnesty implementation committee
    President Jonathan sets up amnesty implementation committee to engage Boko Haram.
  • Boko Haram attacks Government Secondary School, Mamugu

    Boko Haram attacks Government Secondary School, Mamugu, killing 29 students.
  • Abubakar Shekau said to have been shot

    In August, the military said Abubakar Shekau had been shot and deposed by members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.
  • College of Agric attacked by Boko Haram

    Boko Haram attacks College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, kills 40 male students.
  • Chief of Defence Staff promises to wipe out Boko Haram

    Chief of Defence Staff promises to wipe out Boko Haram
    In January, the newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh, promised that the military would wipe out Boko Haram by April 2014.
  • Boko Haram slaughters 43 students in Yobe

    Boko Haram slaughters 43 students in Yobe
    Barely 24 hours after soldiers manning the check point close to the main gate of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State were withdrawn, Boko Haram terrorists, numbering more than 50, invaded the school at 1.30 am, killing more than 43 students and staff while abducting 16 female students.
  • Boko Haram kidnaps Chibok schoolgirls

    Boko Haram kidnaps Chibok schoolgirls
    Boko Haram kidnaps Chibok schoolgirls at Govt. Sec. School, Chibok, Borno State. More than 200 girls were kidnapped while preparing for the School Leaving Certificate exams. The kidnap sparked international outrage, prompting the #bringbackourgirls movement.
  • Suicide bomber attacks Nyanya bus station Abuja

    Suicide bomber attacks Nyanya bus station Abuja
    Boko Haram suicide bombers attack Nyanya bus station in Abuja, 90 killed, several injured.
  • Twin bomb blasts in Jos, 118 confirmed killed

    Twin bomb blasts in Jos, 118 confirmed killed
    Twin bomb explosions rock major market in Jos, 118 killed with several others injured. Deadliest in Jos in recent times. The attack also affected some students of the University of Jos.
  • Nigeria military claims it killed Abubakar Shekau ‘again’

    Nigeria military claims it killed Abubakar Shekau ‘again’
    Nigeria military claims it killed Abubakar Shekau ‘again’ displaying what it said was the picture of the slain Shekau. However, days after, some close contacts to him claimed that he was still alive. A video subsequently showed up in which Shekau claimed he was still alive. In the video he showed a captured Nigerian Air Force officer who his men beheaded.
  • Australian negotiator names Boko Haram sponsors

    Australian negotiator names Boko Haram sponsors
    Australian Stephen Davis, a hostage negotiator brought in to help in the release of the Chibok girls, names some alleged ‘sponsors’ of Boko Haram to include Ali Modu Sheriff and Ihejirika. Both however denied any involvement with the sect.
  • Boko Haram kills 17, kidnap 30 young men, women

    The caretaker chairman of Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, Shettima Maina, said on Sunday that suspected Boko Haram gunmen attacked communities in the council and kidnapped some residents.
    Maina told journalists in Maiduguri that at least 17 people were killed by the gunmen whose attack on the communities started on Wednesday. He said 30 young men and women were also abducted by the insurgents.