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                              What Is Boko Haram?

   by VOA News

   Boko Haram is an Islamic sect that believes politics in northern
   Nigeria has been seized by a group of corrupt, false Muslims, according
   to United States Institute of Peace.

   Its members want to create an Islamic caliphate ruled by sharia law in
   northeastern Nigeria.

   Background details
     * Group is based in northeastern city of Maiduguri.
     * Its self-proclaimed leader is Abubakar Shekau.
     * Group began in 2002 as a non-violent Islamist splinter group.
     * It launched an uprising in 2009, and since 2010 has killed nearly
       20,000 people.
     * Its seven-year insurgency has displaced nearly 2 million people and
       left nearly 1 million children with little or no access to an
       education.
     * Amnesty International said about 2,000 children have been abducted
       by Boko Haram since 2014. Many are used as sex slaves, fighters and
       suicide bombers.
     * Boko Haram translates to "Western education is sinful."
     * In March 2015, Boko Haram affiliates itself with the Islamic State
       group.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/what-is-boko-haram/3285323.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/what-is-boko-haram/3285323.html