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Mohammed Yusuf Founds Boko Haram
Some time in 2002, cleric Mohammed Yusuf founded Boko Haram in the city of Maiduguri in the Nigerian state of Borno (CNN Library, 2016). The group's name translates to "Western education is a sin." CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
First Boko Haram Attack
From the 23-31 of December, around 200 Boko Haram militants attacked police stations in the Nigerian state of Yobe (CNN Library, 2016). The goal of the attack was to secure weapons and supplies for the war effort. Eighteen Boko Haram insurgents were killed in the attack. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. IRIN. (2011, October 7). Timeline of Boko Haram activity. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from IRIN News. -
Attacks on Police Stations
Four police officers and two civilians were killed by Boko Haram militants during attacks on police stations in Gwoza and Bama in Borno, Nigeria. Twenty seven of the militants were killed and five were captured (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN.
IRIN. (2011, October 7). Timeline of Boko Haram activity. Retrieved April 11, 2016, from IRIN News. -
Police Taken Hostage
Boko Haram insurgents take 12 police officers hostage in Kala-Balge, Borno Nigeria (CNN Library, 2016). Many presume the police officers to be dead becase they haven't been heard from since. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Failed Northern Uprising/ Death of Mohammed Yusuf
Boko Haram insurgents begin a widespread series of attacks on police in Bauchi, Kano, Borno and Yobe. A police coalition forms and responds, killing somewhere between 700 and 1,000 insurgents CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN Library, 2016). Mohammed Yusuf is killed and the Boko Haram headquarters is burned down. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN.
IRIN. (2011, October 7). Timeline of Boko Haram activity -
Abubakar Shekhau Takes Command
Abubakar Shekhau, previously assumed dead, releases a video denouncing Western education and proclaiming himself to be the new leader of Boko Haram. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Prison Break in Bauchi
A group of around 50 Boko Haram militants attack a prison in Bauchi, Nigeria, freeing 721 inmates. Only around thirty prisoners are ever recaptured. Pitjeng, R., & Pikoli, P. (2015, April). Boko Haram: A Reign of Terror. (Eyewitness News) Retrieved April 15, 2016, from Eyewitness News. -
Gombi Attacks
Boko Haram kills twelve people in attacks on a police station and several banks in Gombi, Adamawa (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Attack on the United Nations
Boko Haram bombs a United Nations compound in Abuja, Nigeria. The attack kills 23 and injures 75 (CNN Library) CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Damaturu Attacks
Insurgents attack Borno, Yobo and Damaturu with IEDs. The attacks kill over a hundred people and destroy markets and churches. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Christmas Day Bombing
A Boko Haram militant bombs a Catholic church in Abuja, killing 37 and wounding 57 (Reuters, 2012). The militant, Kabiru Sakoto, was later arrested Reuters. (2012). Man charged for Nigeria Christmas bombing. (Eyewitness News) Retrieved April 15, 2015, from Eyewitness News. -
Kano Attacks
Boko Haram militants go on a killing spree, killing close to 200 in a series of attacks in Kano, Nigeria (CNN Library). The attacks represented one of the largest coordinated attacks in Boko Haram history. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Rumored Peace Talks
Rumors circulated through various media platforms that Boko Haram leadership and the Nigerian Government were engaging in peace talks. Boko Haram allegedly swore that unless Sharia Law was established across all of Nigeria, the violence would continue. President Goodluck Jonathan maintained that he was open to peace talks. See the article below for more information.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9146880/Nigeria-engages-in-peace-talks-with-Boko-Haram.html -
Boko Haram Fights Multinational Coalition
Boko Haram militants fought against security forces from Nigeria, Niger and Chad in Baga, Borno. The fighting left around 200 dead, including many innocent civilians (CNN Library). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Nigeria Dedicates a Formal Military Task Force to Combat Boko Haram
President Goodluck Jonathan officially dedicates military resources to combat Boko Haram forces in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe, essentially declaring war on the group. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Boko Haram Officially Labeled a Terrorist Organization
President Goodluck Johnathan officially labels Boko Haram a terrorist organization. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Nigeria Kills Boko Haram Second in Command
The Nigerian military releases a statement saying that they have killed Abubakar Shekhau's second in command, Momodu Baba. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Checkpoint Massacre
A group of insurgents disguised themselves as Nigerian soldiers and staged a fake checkpoint in Borno. The militants ambushed travelers and killed around 143 people (CNN, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
United States Declares Boko Haram a Terrorist Organization
The United States adds Boko Haram to its list of terrorist organizations. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Chibok Schoolgirl Kidnappings
Boko Haram storms a primary school in Chibok, Borno and kidnaps 276 schoolgirls (CNN Library, 2016). The kidnapping got international attention, including a viral twitter handle called #Bringbackourgirls. Abubakar Shekau released a video claiming that he was going to sell the women. Only around 50 have managed to escape. The rest are still missing. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Borno Villagers Fight Back
Boko Haram fighters try to take three villages in Borno by force. The villagers fight back, killing 200 Boko Haram militants in the process (Abu Bakr, 2014). Abu Bakr, A. (2014, May 15). Nigerian Villagers Fight Off Attacks by Boko Haram. (CNN) Retrieved April 14, 2016, from CNN. -
United States Sends Troops to Help Find Schoolgirls
The United States sent 80 soldiers to Chad to help with the search for the missing schoolgirls (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Boko Haram Abducts At Least 20 Women
Boko Haram Militants rabduct at least 20 women from a village 8 kilometers away from Chibok (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Women and Girls Escape
Sixty-three women escaped from their Boko Haram captors and fled back to their villages. Many reported being raped and sold into marriages with Boko Haram fighters for bride prices of $12. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Boko Haram Siezes Baga
Hundreds of Boko Haram fighters take the city of Baga, killing as many as 2,000 people (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Boko Haram Pledges Allegiance to ISIS
Abubakar Shekhau pledges allegiance to the Islamic State. Shortly thereafter ISIS accepts Boko Haram as part of its caliphate. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Nigerian Troops Rescue 450 Women
Nigerian Troops raided several Boko Haram camps and freed 450 women (CNN Library, 2016). None of the women have been identified as Chibok schoolgirls. CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Boko Haram Raids Three Villages
Boko Haram Insurgents kill 145 people in raids on three villages in Borno (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Women and Children Rescued by Nigerian Military
The Nigerian Military raided Boko Haram camps rescuing 241 women and children and arresting 43 insurgents (CNN Library, 2016). CNN Library. (2016, February 19). Boko Haram Fast Facts. (CNN) Retrieved April 12, 2016, from CNN. -
Suspect in Suicide Bombing Claims to be a Chibok Schoolgirl
One of three women involved in an attempted Boko Haram suicide bombing in Limali, Cameroon claimed to be one of the Chibok School Girls abducted in 2014 (Ellis and Meilhan, 2016). The girls were spotted as they approached the village and the plot was thwarted. The girl's claim is still being investigated. Ellis, R., & Meilhan, P. (2016, March 27). Nigeria: Bomb suspects may be kidnapped schoolgirls. (CNN) Retrieved April 14, 2016, from CNN.
