What is BOKO HARAM?
Boko Haram means Western education is sin.
The Sunni Muslim group founded in Maiduguri in northern Nigeria in 2002.
The group represents a strong fundamentalist interpretation of Islam, not unlike Salafists.
Boko Haram came gradually at odds with local religious and non-religious power structures.
In 2009, the conflict escalated, and the government launched a massive offensive against the group. Many members were imprisoned, and founder Mohammed Yusuf was killed.
Boko Haram made a bloody comeback in September 2010 when they stormed a prison and freed 700 prisoners.
In August 2011, the group blew up a car bomb at the UN headquarters in Abuja. 24 people were killed, among them the Norwegian UN worker Ingrid Midtgaard.
20th January this year, 185 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Nigeria's second city Kano.
According to Human Rights Watch (HRW) has nearly 1,000 people killed in attacks by the group since 2009.
Boko Haram has no demonstrable ties to Al Qaeda or other groups or networks outside Nigeria, and the group's goal is unclear. 43 years old Abubakar Shekau is believed to be the leader.
Written by Ehizuwa Asin Christian
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