Rise of ISIS and Boko Haram Threatens Muslims and Expands Armed Group Influence in West Africa

Rise of ISIS and Boko Haram Threatens Muslims and Expands Armed Group Influence in West Africa
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In northeastern Nigeria, extremist Sunni groups, including ISIS’s West Africa Province and Boko Haram, continue to threaten local populations through violent attacks, kidnappings, and extortion, with Muslims often bearing the heaviest impact.

According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, these groups make no distinction between mosques and churches or residents based on religion, focusing primarily on looting and collecting ransoms. While U.S. former President Donald Trump issued a warning on Truth Social against targeting civilians, particularly Christians, reports indicate that Muslims remain the most affected.

Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau pledged allegiance to ISIS in 2015, establishing the ISIS West Africa Province. After Shekau’s split from ISIS, a conflict emerged between Boko Haram and ISIS for dominance in northeastern Nigeria. ISIS-affiliated militants expanded their presence in Borno State, attacking military bases and schools to gain control over territories.

In March 2024, ISIS militants kidnapped nearly 300 Sufi Muslim students; the Nigerian army freed 350 individuals, including 200 children, two months later. The group has also adopted new tactics, including the use of female suicide bombers. In July 2024, three suicide attacks in Gouza resulted in 38 deaths.

ISIS’s expansion efforts have extended into neighboring countries, including Cameroon, Benin, Niger, and Chad, and have led to clashes with other extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda affiliates and Ansar al-Islam.

Despite government initiatives focused on national reconciliation and rehabilitation programs for former militants, persistent economic, social, and tribal challenges have limited the effectiveness of these efforts in curbing the influence of extremist groups.