Abstract
This chapter analyses the structure and funding of Boko Haram as well as interrogates the validity of the socio-economic imperatives of the sect. Boko Haram is structured and run on the popular Shura council model. This structure, which operated on the basis of loosely connected and semi-autonomy, is headed by Shekau who, while ensuring the activities of the various cells, maintain little personal contact. This has helped in making Shekau invincible and ensuring that the vanquishing of one cell does not affect the others. The sect depended on multiple sources of funding ranging from membership dues, donations and political patronage during the era of Yusuf to looting, robbery and ransom in the era of Shekau. Boko Haram has been able to remain financially buoyant throughout its life. While the economic and social deprivation in the Northeast may have aided both the popularity of the sect and its ability to attract young people to its fold, the socio-economic explanation is just one in a cocktail of factors driving the insurgence.
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Notes
- 1.
Hajia Mairo, 55-year-old women leader in Gwoza (20 April 2016).
- 2.
Personal interview, Captain Sotonye, field commander, Operation Lafia Dole (Gwoza, 23 April 2016).
- 3.
Personal interview, Ahmad Ibn Anas (Maiduguri, 14 August 2016).
- 4.
Interview with 26-year-old Zainab Abdul; female victim of Boko Haram kidnap and forced marriage (Gwoza, 18 April 2016).
- 5.
FGD session with adult females at LGEA primary school, Madimagari, Maiduguri (14 August 2016).
- 6.
Personal interview, Hassan Usman (Maiduguri, 15 August 2016).
- 7.
The kidnapping took place in the border town of Dabanga in the far North of Cameroon. This widely reported incident occurred on 19 February 2013. It is believed that the Boko Haram depended on the masterful expertise of the al-Barnawi led Ansaru to pull off this operation.
- 8.
Monguno, a first republic petroleum minister (who passed on in July 2016 at the age of 95) was abducted on Friday 3 May at Mafoni Mosque in Maiduguri after the congregational prayers.
- 9.
Literacy is defined here as the ability to read and write in any language, English or any other language.
- 10.
Personal interview, Maduh Idris, 47-year-old farmer (Gwoza, 28 April 2016).
- 11.
Personal interview, Barrister Mahmood, 49-year-old Maiduguri-based legal practitioner (19 July 2016).
- 12.
FGD Consensus, FGD session with adult females at LGEA primary school, Madimagari, Maiduguri (14 August 2016).
- 13.
Personal interview, Alih Ibn Mustafa, 38-year-old official of a mosque in Gwoza (20 April 2016).
- 14.
Personal interview, Musa Idris, 26-year-old unemployed graduate (Maiduguri, 14 July 2016).
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Anugwom, E.E. (2019). Structure, Funding and Socio-economic Imperatives of Boko Haram. In: The Boko Haram Insurgence In Nigeria. New Directions in Islam. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96959-6_6
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