The sect seeks to establish a "pure" Islamic state ruled by Sharia, putting a stop to what it deems Westernization. It proposes that interaction with the Western world is forbidden, and also supports opposition to the Muslim establishment and the government of Nigeria. The group is known for attacking Christians, Muslim clerics and government targets, as well as for bombing churches, mosques, schools and police stations.
The group is also notorious for kidnappings. The violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in an estimated 20,000 deaths between 2002 and 2015. On November 13, 2013, the United States government designated the group a terrorist organization.
On May 22, 2014, the United Nations Security Council added Boko Haram to its list of designated al-Qaeda entities, bringing "funding, travel and weapons sanctions" against the terrorist group. On the same day Boko Haram was officially declared a terrorist group affiliated to al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. International sanctions including assets' freeze, travel ban and arms embargo are imposed against the Islamist extremist group.
It was reported in August 2013 that Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, had been shot and deposed by members of his sect, but he survived. He has taken responsibility for the April 2014 kidnapping of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria. Funding sources for Boko Haram are not certain, but is believed to be partially funded by bank robberies and by other Islamist groups
The group is also notorious for kidnappings. The violence linked to the Boko Haram insurgency has resulted in an estimated 20,000 deaths between 2002 and 2015. On November 13, 2013, the United States government designated the group a terrorist organization.
On May 22, 2014, the United Nations Security Council added Boko Haram to its list of designated al-Qaeda entities, bringing "funding, travel and weapons sanctions" against the terrorist group. On the same day Boko Haram was officially declared a terrorist group affiliated to al-Qaeda and al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb. International sanctions including assets' freeze, travel ban and arms embargo are imposed against the Islamist extremist group.
It was reported in August 2013 that Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, had been shot and deposed by members of his sect, but he survived. He has taken responsibility for the April 2014 kidnapping of over 200 school girls in Chibok, Borno state, Nigeria. Funding sources for Boko Haram are not certain, but is believed to be partially funded by bank robberies and by other Islamist groups
