By Sanusi Mohammed
Exploits of Boko Haram under Shakau
In the last two editions we gave details of the origin of the insurgency known as Boko Haram and how it metamorphosed from Islamic propagation to terrorism. In the last edition we mentioned that after the death of Muhammed Yusuf, Muhammed Abubakar Shekau, who was deputy to Yusuf, was chosen to lead the group. Below are the details of Shekau’s exploits as the leader of the dreaded group.
September 8, 2010 – Bauchi Federal Prison was attacked and detained Boko Haram members freed.
December 24, 2010 – Boko Haram attacked and killed eight persons in Barikin Ladi, Plateau State.
December 31, 2010 – Mogadishu military mammy market, Abuja was attacked and 10 people killed.
January 21, 2011 – Boko Haram murdered seven people in Maiduguri including Modu Gubio, a brother to Senator Ali Modu Sheriff.
March 2, 2011 – Boko Haram murdered two policemen on guard at the residence of the Divisional Police Officer in Rigasa, Kaduna.
April 8, 2011 – Boko Haram bombed INEC headquarters in Abuja and killed eight NYSC members.
June 6, 2011 – A renowned Islamic critic of Boko Haram, Sheikh Ibrahim Birkutu was murdered by Boko Haram in Biu of Borno State.
June 16, 2011 – Loius Edet House, the headquarters of Nigeria Police, Abuja was bombed leaving three persons dead.
June 9, 2011 – A bomb attack targeted at a Church in Suleja of Niger State left four people dead.
August 26, 2011 – Boko Haram bombed United Nations headquarters, Abuja, with 23 people announced dead.
September 17, 2011 – Babakura Fugu, brother-in-law to late Muhammed Yusuf was killed by Boko Haram for holding a meeting with former President Obasanjo.
October 3, 2011 – Boko Haram killed three persons at Baga fish market in Maiduguri of Borno State.
November 4, 2011 – Close to 150 people were murdered by Boko Haram in Damaturu at different locations within the city.
December 24, 2011 – Over 80 people were killed by Boko Haram in Jos.
December 25, 2011 – Boko Haram attacked a Church at Madalla and killed about 50 worshippers.
January 5, 2012 – Boko Haram attacked a Church in Gombe and killed six people.
January 6, 2012 – Boko Haram attacked Christ Apostolic Church, Yola and killed 17 worshippers. Same day, there was another attack in Mubi of same Adamawa state and 20 were killed.
January 20, 20`12 – Boko Haram launched an attack on Kano city and killed 185 persons after the bombers attacked police stations, immigration offices, police residential quarters and the other individuals within the city. A Channels Television Cameraman, Enenche Akogwu was a victim.
January 22, 2012 – Two soldiers, a police officer and eight civilians lost their lives in a Boko Haram attack in Bauchi and some locations in Tafawa Balewa Local Government same day.
February 26, 2012 – Boko Haram suicide bombers killed six persons during an attack on a Church in Jos.
March 11, 2012 – Boko Haram bombed COCIN Church, Jos and three people were killed.
April 8, 2012 – 36 people were murdered in Kaduna outside a Church.
April 30, 2012 – Boko Haram killed 12 people during an attack on a police convoy in Jalingo.
June 3, 2012 – 15 people lost their lives in a Boko Haram suicide bombing of a Church in Bauchi.
June 8, 2012 – Boko Haram attacked a police station in Maiduguri and killed four.
June 10, 2012 – Boko Haram attacked a Church and killed three people in Jos.
June 17, 2012 – 48 persons were killed in a Boko Haram coordinated attacks in Kaduna and Zaria.
August 3, 2012 – Boko Haram attacked Muslims after prayers in Potiskum.
August 5, 2012 – Five soldiers were killed in an attack by Boko Haram in Damaturu, Yobe State
August 15, 2012 – Three people were killed in an attack on a military vehicle belonging to Joint Task Force, Maiduguri.
September 23, 2012 – A woman and a child were killed from Boko Haram attack on a Catholic Church in Bauchi.
October 5 – 8, 2012 – About 30 people were killed in Boko Haram coordinated attacks in Yobe State.
October 28, 2012 – Eight people were killed in a Boko Haram attack in Kaduna.
November 25, 2012 – 12 people were killed from Boko Haram attack on Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna.
These rampant killings were motivating factors that forced the Nigerian Army to declare a war on Boko Haram in 2012 while efforts were on to bring leadership of the insurgents to dialogue for a cease fire. Since the war began, all other efforts to convince the dreaded insurgents to see reason and accept the Federal Government’s invitation for dialogue, was rebuked.
As time went on, the Federal Government outlawed the sect and declared it a terrorist group. That declaration discouraged those with the capacity to convince the sect leadership to accept government’s invitation for dialogue.
As the war rages on, Boko Haram has reached out to other terrorist groups for support and possible affiliation. ISIS accepted Boko Haram as an affiliate.
