The Military and Operations Against Boko Haram 2011-2017: Studies in Insurgency

Since its inception in 2002, the terrorist group Boko Haram has wreaked havoc in Nigeria and neighboring countries, causing countless deaths and displacing millions of people. Over the years, the Nigerian military, with the support of other regional forces, has launched multiple operations to counter this insurgency. The period from 2011 to 2017 is particularly significant in terms of military engagement against Boko Haram.

During these years, Boko Haram intensified its attacks, targeting civilians, government officials, and security forces. This surge in violence necessitated a more focused and robust response from the military. The Nigerian Armed Forces, under the leadership of President Goodluck Jonathan, embarked on a series of military operations aimed at neutralizing Boko Haram and reclaiming territory under their control.

One such operation was Operation Lafiya Dole, which commenced in May 2013 and remains ongoing. Lafiya Dole, meaning "Peace by All Means" in Hausa, is a joint military intervention involving Nigerian ground forces, the Nigerian Air Force, and other regional partners. The operation encompasses various strategies, including intelligence gathering, targeted airstrikes, and ground offensives.

Counter-Insurgency in Nigeria: The Military and Operations against Boko Haram, 2011-2017 (Studies in Insurgency, Counterinsurgency and National Security)

by Akali Omeni (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	278 pages

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The Nigerian military, with the assistance of international partners such as the United States, France, and the United Kingdom, launched several successful operations during this period. These operations focused on disrupting Boko Haram's logistics, targeting their leaders, and dismantling their network of insurgents. The aim was not only to degrade their capabilities but also to gain control of the territory previously held by the terrorist group.

One of the most significant military victories against Boko Haram during this time was the recapture of the town of Gwoza in March 2015. Gwoza, located in Borno State, was a stronghold for the insurgent group and served as their de facto headquarters. The successful recapture of Gwoza marked a turning point in the fight against Boko Haram and significantly weakened their operational capacity.

Furthermore, the Nigerian military invested in training and equipping their troops to effectively combat the insurgency. Specialized units, such as the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, were established to enhance the military's capabilities in counter-terrorism operations. This focused approach allowed the military to conduct targeted raids, rescue operations, and secure towns and villages from Boko Haram's grip.

However, despite these significant achievements, the insurgency continued to pose a challenge to the Nigerian military. Boko Haram militants, known for their guerilla tactics and asymmetric warfare, adapted to the military's strategies and launched retaliatory attacks targeting civilians and military installations.

In addition to military operations, the Nigerian government implemented various programs aimed at addressing the root causes of extremism and offering opportunities for deradicalization and reintegration. These efforts aimed to prevent the recruitment of individuals by extremist groups and promote peacebuilding in affected communities. Initiatives such as the Safe Schools Initiative and the Victims Support Fund provided support to affected individuals, including internally displaced persons and victims of Boko Haram attacks.

The military's operations against Boko Haram between 2011 and 2017 marked a crucial period in the fight against this terrorist insurgency. The Nigerian military, supported by international partners, demonstrated their commitment to restoring peace and security in the region. However, the persistence of Boko Haram's activities emphasizes the need for sustained efforts in addressing the underlying causes of extremism, promoting good governance, and rebuilding affected communities.

In , the military and operations against Boko Haram from 2011 to 2017 were significant in the overall fight against the insurgency. These operations, such as Operation Lafiya Dole, were aimed at neutralizing Boko Haram, reclaiming territory, and protecting civilians. Despite challenges, the Nigerian military achieved notable victories during this period, including the recapture of Gwoza. With sustained efforts in addressing the root causes of extremism, it is hoped that Nigeria and its neighboring countries can overcome the menace of Boko Haram and restore lasting peace.

Counter-Insurgency in Nigeria: The Military and Operations against Boko Haram, 2011-2017 (Studies in Insurgency, Counterinsurgency and National Security)

by Akali Omeni (1st Edition, Kindle Edition)

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3418 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	278 pages

FREE

This book offers a detailed examination of the counter-insurgency operations undertaken by the Nigerian military against Boko Haram between 2011 and 2017.

Based on extensive fieldwork conducted with military units in Nigeria, Counter-Insurgency in Nigeria has two main aims. First, it seeks to provide an understanding of the Nigerian military’s internal role – a role that today, as a result of internal threats, pivots towards counter-insurgency. The book illustrates how organizational culture, historical experience, institutions, and doctrine, are critical to understanding the Nigerian military and its attitudes and actions against the threat of civil disobedience, today and in the past. The second aim of the book is to examine the Nigerian military campaign against Boko Haram insurgents – specifically, plans and operations between June 2011 and April 2017. Within this second theme, emphasis is placed on the idea of battlefield innovation and the reorganization within the Nigerian military since 2013, as the Nigerian Army and Air Force recalibrated themselves for COIN warfare. A certain mystique has surrounded the technicalities of COIN operations by the Army against Boko Haram, and this book aims to disperse that veil of secrecy. Furthermore, the work’s analysis of the air force’s role in counter-insurgency is unprecedented within the literature on military warfare in Nigeria.

This book will be of great interest to students of military studies, counter-insurgency, counter-terrorism, African politics and security studies in general.