The Making of Boko Haram: An Essential History

An essential and timely exploration of Boko Haram, a terror group whose violence has surpassed every other modern terror group including that of Daesh, al Qaeda and Al-Shabaab. This key volume constitutes a vital resource on Boko Haram's ideology, history, leadership, and pivot towards violence. With particular emphasis on the events, personalities, radical histories and Islamic discourses that shaped Boko Haram's rise, the volume examines the movement's formative years under Muhammad Yusuf and its evolution into one of the world's most violent terror groups. Delving into the traditions, institutional structures and politicisation of shari'a (Islamic law) in Northern Nigeria, this ground-breaking volume offers crucial insights into Boko Haram as a social movement that exploits political Islam towards deadly ends.

Table of Contents:
Preface Introduction Part I: Setting the Stage Chapter 2 - 'Boko Haram': What's in a Name? Chapter 3 – Setting a Violent Precedent: The Uthman dan Fodiyo Jihad and Its Implications Part II: An Explanation of Boko Haram's Deviance Chapter 4 - Social Movement Theory (SMT), Islamic Activism and Boko Haram Chapter 5 – Deviant Interpretation: How Boko Haram Frames Its Discourse Part III: Religion and Politics in Northern Nigeria – Influences on Boko Haram's Creed Chapter 6 – The Long Road to Boko Haram's 'Awakening' Chapter 7 - The Importance of Theological Debate and Tafsir (Qur'anic Exegesis) Part IV: A Historical Grudge Chapter 8 – Islam and shari'a (Islamic law) in Northern Nigeria During Colonial Rule Chapter 9 - Religious Tensions and the Politicisation of Islam in Northern Nigeria Since the Late Colonial Era Chapter 10 - Islamic Fundamentalism in 1980s Northern Nigeria: From Puritanism to Maitatsine Part V: Formative Years Chapter 11 - 1980s – 1990s: Radical Influences on Yusuf and the Emergence of 'Boko Haram' Chapter 12 - 1999 – 2000: Nigeria's Shift to Democracy and the Shari'a Debate Chapter 13 - 2001 – 2003: A 'Separation of Ties' Part VI: Resurgence to Isolation Chapter 14 - Boko Haram's Post-Kanamma Resurgence and Decline: Individual Influences Chapter 15 - Public Disagreements, Attempts at Correction, and Isolation Part ViI: Prelude to Jihad (Armed Struggle) Chapter 18 - 'Fire For Fire': Violence, Death, and Boko Haram's Rebirth Conclusion: Out of the Frying Pan Bibliography Index

About the Author :
omeni is the principal consultant at Terrorism Studies Consultancy and a visiting professor at Boston University. He has taught at the War Studies Department, King's College London, at the University of Leicester, and at the University of St Andrews, UK, where he was Senior Lecturer. He is the author of Policing and Politics in Nigeria (2022), Insurgency and War in Nigeria (2019), Counter-Insurgency in Nigeria (2017) and Picking Sides: Race, Ethnicity and Recruitment in the Colonial Nigerian Army (forthcoming).

Review :
A remarkable book - accessible, reader-friendly and versatile Akali Omeni brings rigor and originality to a subject that continues to shape Nigeria and Africa's security landscape. The Making of Boko Haram is not just scholarship; it is a valuable reference for historians, security practitioners and professional military education (PME). The Making of Boko Haram is an important and much needed contribution to understanding the rise and trajectory of this violent and highly consequential movement. Akali Omeni has done a superb job of mining archival material, utilizing key narratives, and applying social movement theory to produce this compelling and authoritative account of Boko Haram Akali Omeni's "The Making of Boko Haram" peels back critical layers to explain the group's origins, ideolog(ies) and violence, reframing our understanding of an extremist movement often narrowly defined despite its wider social movement grounding. Omeni skillfully uncovers the historical tensions and contextual debates between faith and politics which shaped Boko Haram's evolution, adaptation and resilience. A timely and essential read, imperative for Nigeria and the world to better understand the challenge rising religious fundamentalism' poses to multicultural, constitutional democracy. Omeni has written the definitive history of Boko Haram. Vivid, well-evidenced and gripping. If you are interested in understanding how social movements gradually embrace terror, with Boko Haram as an exemplar, you should read this book.