From Criticism to Extrimism: An Analysis of Boko Haram’s Approach to Modernism

Abstract

Nigeria is a country which is full of ethno-religious and political conflicts. Many groups emerged and are, in one way or the other, causing unrest in the country especially: Oduduwa Peoples’ Congress (OPC), the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), the Igbo Youth Congress (IYC), Igbo Peoples’ Congress (IPC), Niger Delta Volunteer Force (NDVF), Niger Delta Resistant Movement (NDRM), Movement for the Survival of the Izon Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) and others. However, in recent time, an Islamic group under the name of Boko Haram came into scene, and based their arguments on political and theological issues, claiming the revival of the Muslim community and restoring its caliphate nature. Their methods in confronting problems, their ideologies and their philosophical and political views can be compared with those of Islamic State (IS).This phenomenon has further thrown the entire northern parts of Nigeria into chaos and tumults. Many innocents, men and women, children and adults have been killed. This study therefore, attempts to explore the ideologies, the political and philosophical views and the aims and objectives of the Islamist movement with special reference to the movement of Boko Haram in the federal republic of Nigeria.