Perspective of Boko Haram Insurgency: Beyond the Contours of Ethnicity – Yobe State Experience c.2011-2016

Abstract

This article examines perspective of Boko Haram insurgency which is beyond the contours of ethnicity as it was experienced in places such as Yobe State that were affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Boko Haram insurgency is quite contrary to the views of others who misperceived or erroneously interpreted the insurgency alongside ethnic/tribal inclination as Boko Haram sect is a combination of multiple tribal groups within and beyond Nigeria that came together and formed the terrorist’s cell which over the years became a serious security threat to the entire Sahelian Region. Boko Haram sects are Islamic extremists who are now operating even at transnational level and as such, the question of likening or linking the sect to tribal or Kanuri sentiment projection per-se does not even arise as the violent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents did not discriminate against tribe, religion or otherwise. This shows that everybody is a victim of Boko Haram insurgency irrespective of a Kanuri person or not. Beside, the Kanuri’s were the most affected and a vulnerable person in as much as Boko Haram insurgency is all about.

Keywords: Boko Haram, Insurgency, Sect, Contours, Ethnicity.