Dynamics of Religious Extremism and Terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin: An Explora-tion of the Ideological Variations between Boko Haram and ISWAP

Abstract

Dynamics of Religious Extremism and Terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin: An Explora-tion of the Ideological Variations between Boko Haram and ISWAP Mustapha Salihu Ph.D. Abstract In light of the growing influence of religious extremist organization in the Lake Chad Basin, the study ex-amines the ideological variations between Boko Haram and ISWAP. Employing the qualitative textual analysis of secondary date, the study ascertains their capacities of coercion and symbolic violence, organ-izational modus operandi and social repression and intolerance. The ideological nuances of Boko Ha-ram‘s main factions ISWAP shape their use of violence, organizational modus operandi and social repres-sion. Key variations in their ideology emerged following the 2016 split, informed by the inability of She-kau‘s led Boko Haram and Barnawi‘s ISWAP to agree on the key issues of who should be targeted and what roles women can play. Review of several reports shows despite the split, Shekau‘s pledge of alle-giance to the Islamic State in Levant remains intact. And that ISWAP is as equally as violent as Boko Ha-ram if not more violent, the only difference been its deployment of people centric approach to galvanize local support and boost its membership. While Shekau exploit the fragility of government in the LCB to unleash terror on civilian populations, ISWAP have moved to fill these gaps in governance. The study concludes both groups are locked in a competition in a battle of the soul of the LCB, whether Nigeria and its neighbors will capitalize on the infighting to decapitate either of the faction remains to be seen. Full Text: PDF DOI: 10.15640/jppg.v9n1a3