I. PROLOGUE

Boko Haram has been conceptualized as “Western education is forbidden”. This implies that Western education is “fake” and conceived as “sin”, “sacrilege”. The (ilimin) book is equated to fake education and secular school as (makaranta) boko. This perception is worth exploring, in order to understand the correlation between Christianity and Western education. The implication of this is that it is culture-bound and pregnant with religious undertone.

Whoever is therefore involved in Western education is also intrinsicably linked and interwoven with the Christian faith. If we comprehend this copiously, we can then understand why Islam which has its root in Middle East undertakes strategies to undo Christianity in all its ramifications. The purpose of this short paper is to identify the impact of Boko Haram operations on Education in the North East, with particular reference to Christian communities.

II. GENESIS OF BOKO HARAM

There are two basic sources of Boko Haram. The first is Histo-cultural and Religious factor. These complex sources were interwoven in terms of the dominance of the complex sources of the Kanuri ethnic nationality, existence of Bornu Empire and the homogeneity of Islamic religion with few pagan groups. The introduction of heterogeneity via the arrival of Christian missionaries and the spread of the massage in the region and the subsequent conversion of large segment of the population into Christianity in Bornu Empire in 1903 was considered an anathema and abnormal. This development served as the seed of discord between the Islamic Empire and the Christian population in the Southern part of Bornu.

The subsequent causes have to do with economic factors. It has been emphasized that economic causes contribute to the factor in Boko Haram’s success. It was argued that wealth in Nigeria has been concentrated among members of small political elite, mainly in the Christian south of the country. Nigeria is Africa’s biggest economy, but 60% of its population of 173 million (as of 2013) lives on less than $1 a day. The Sharia Law imposed by local authorities, beginning with Zamfara in January, 2000 and covering 12 Northern states by late 2002, may have promoted links between Boko Haram and Political Leaders, but was considered by the group to have been corrupted. Atta Barkindo explains the group’s ‘baffling’ ability to maintain momentum” in part by the “accumulated and unaddressed grievances” against colonialism in the region. 

Mohammed Yusuf, the leader of Boko Haram argued that “Our land was an Islamic state before it was turned into a land of Kafir (infidel).” The current system in their perception is contrary to true Muslim belief. This was the fundamental factor that subsequently strengthened the belief system and then manifested in negative activities in 2000. The cursory reactions that now characterize the Boko Haram therefore became an extricably complex consequence for the Nigerian body politics and insecurity.

III. IDEOLOGY OF BOKO HARAM

Mohammed Marwa (Maitasine), who was a controversial Islamic preacher, inspired Mohammed Yusuf about the evil of Western education and the evolutionary theory. He argued against the idea that rain came from evaporation caused by sun. They also equated Westernization of Nigeria society to Nigeria culture of corruption. As a consequence that demands for the institutionalization of an Islamic state of Nigeria, Christians too were seen as Anti-JAS Muslim preachers.

As earlier explained, complex mixture of economic, social and political factors had provided a fertile environment for Boko Haram. These include endemic corruption, poverty (which is more severe in larger parts of the north than in other parts of the country), and impunity for violence, including horrific intercommunal killing and human rights abuse by security forces. These deeply entrenched problems cannot be easily resolved. Nonetheless, all parties should respect international human rights standards and halt the downward spiral of violence by the terrorists who terrorize residents in northern and central Nigeria. The obvious situation is that the factors cannot be easily isolated. They are now cobwebbed as they affect ethnic nationalities, and religious groups (Christian and Traditionalist Sunnis) economic elites, military and transitional rulers.

IV. SOME EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES

It is important to identify some of the empirical evidence of the Boko Haram activities in some locations around Nigeria.

1. By 2014 February about 3,477 were killed in the North East in 146 attacks.

2. On October 29^th, 2014, thousands of people particularly women and children fled from Mubi to Yola.

3. On January 3^rd, 2015, Boko Haram attacked Baga and 2,000 people were massacred.

4. 24^th March, 2015, 400 women and children fled from Damask.

5. 27^th March 2015, Boko Haram Extremists killed 41 people to prevent voting.

6. November 15^th, Boko Haram killed 786 people and in the same month, there were 27 Boko Haram attacks.

7. May 2015 about 5,000 Catholics were killed in the Diocese of Maiduguri. About 7,000 widows and 10,000 orphans were assembled by Catholic Authorities. The militants took over several parish centres within the diocese.

8. In July, 2016, Boko Haram in Maiduguri killed 56 people.

V. THE CONSEQUENCES OF BOKO HARAM ACTIVITIES ON EDUCATION IN THE NORTH EAST.

Since the war has been against Western Education which has been equated to Christianity, the attack on Christians should be understood within this context; more so that they have argued that the Christians control the economic and social sectors of the Nigerian economy.

·    One of the consequences of Boko Haram Terrorism is the security challenges posed to the Christians. The series of attack on Christians’ worshiping locations in Chibok, Maiduguri, Biu, Gwoza, Yola, Gombe, Bama, have produced implications by depleting the Christian populations in these locations. The destruction of churches had   economic and spiritual implications in the North East because millions of naira was lost. Rebuilding efforts of such churches were the entire responsibilities of the Christians because there was no compensation from government.

·      Second, apart from the attacks and the dismemberment of Christian communities, Boko Harm has carried out numerous gun attacks and bombings, in some cases using suicide bombers on a wide array of venues including Police stations, Military facilities, Churches, Schools, Newspaper Offices, etc. In addition to these attacks, the group has forced Christian men to convert to Islam at the point of death and has assassinated Christian leaders in the north for allegedly speaking out against its tactics or for cooperating with authorities to identify group members. Following Boko Haram attacks on Christians, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay said that the attacks may constitute crimes against humanity if judged to be deliberate acts leading to population “cleansing” based on religion or ethnicity.

·       Third, since education is forbidden and in the region, large numbers of school children were deprived attendance, it implies that the degree of illiteracy has been on the increase in villages in the region.  The fear of being identified as Christian in many villages even worsened the willingness to register their children. Instead of progressing, repressiveness has become the culture in the sub-region.

·  Fourth, the operation of Boko Haram syndrome has produced multiplier effects on social and economic activities in the North East society. The emergence of social dislocations multilaterally created social incongruences, unemployment, underemployment, poverty, poor health conditions, delinquency, drug abuse divorce and unstable marriage discordance.   

·     Fifth, the issue of parental delinquency, loss of hope, parental coma, and illusion which was largely attributed to loss of children or forced marriage to terrorists, have all resulted.

·  Sixth, the drastic fall in the school attendance of children and enrollment has serious consequences for the education and the production of Primary and Secondary School graduates, who are major materials required for University admission. The implication is that, for the next 10-20 years, children of Christian parents and other rural villagers will have no graduates to provide the required manpower. Of course, if the drop out become too many, such population may become social nuisance and possibly may find employment in the Boko Haram organization as a last resort. God forbid.

·    Seventh, more seriously unwanted pregnancies, abortion, illegitimate children, forced marriage, run away girls and boys, particularly if parents abdicate their responsibilities out of frustration, can become a socio-health hazard. Some may be recruited into Boko Haram by inducements to avoid security threat.

      Eighth, some parents may become disadvantaged because of the effect of Boko Haram activities on lager population who are no longer of mandatory school age, particularly when parents are victims of this situation or have their children withdrawn. It can produce band wagon effect on the parents 30 or 40 years in life – a period they would want the children to cater for them at old age.

·         Ninth, the Boko Haram terrorism and the consequent conflict and security challenges can destroy families, create gender conflicts and religious divide, which have indeed destroyed many families in the North East where Christian and Islamic Families intermarry and many siblings belong to the same family. Mutual relationship has been destroyed.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Provide additional security personnel to protect vulnerable communities, including Christian minorities in the north and Muslims, among them, clerics and traditional rulers, who oppose Boko Haram.

2.      Enact Legislation to domesticate the International Criminal Court’s Rome Statute, which Nigeria ratified in 2001, including criminalizing under Nigerian Law, genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, consistent with Rome Statute definitions.

3.  Compile, maintain, and make available to those who need it, including Detention Centers, Inspectors and family members, a list of detention facilities and detainees in custody.

4.      Immediately order security forces to stop all harassment and abuse of citizens and the destruction of property, in line with Domestic law and International Human Rights standards.

5.    Ensure, consistent with Nigeria’s obligations under the Rome Statute and the Principle of complementarity, that prompt and thorough investigations are conducted into allegations of serious crimes committed through physical abuse, stealing of property, burning of homes, churches, shops and vehicles. Ensure that relevant authorities prosecute without delay and according to international fair trial standards, anyone implicated in these abuses.

6.      Police/Military Officers should be posted to Worship Centers during worship hours.

7.      All schools should be opened for children. Government should mobilize parents to return their children to school when security is provided.

8.      Parents whose children have been kidnapped and not returned after a fixed time should be compensated adequately.

REFERENCES

Foard Copeland, (Feb. 2013), Horn of Africa Desk Officer, Comprehensive Information on Complex Issues - The Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria.   

PROF. SAM AMDII OF EDUCATION COMMITTEE, MEN FELLOWSHIP, ECWA, WUSE II, ABUJA, ON THE 22^ND July 29, 2021

By:Prof. Sam Amdii