ÇAĞ POLICY BRIEF                             ISSUE 2026 | 1

Going beyond military intervention to protect civilians in Nigeria from Boko Haram

This policy brief examines the rise of Boko Haram in Nigeria and the security threats it poses to civilians. The research question is: What policies can Nigeria implement to protect civilians from Boko Haram attacks? Our hypothesis posits that military measures alone are insufficient and, as a result, civilian security cannot be fully ensured; therefore, military measures must be supported by non-military policies.

and indicates that problems such as humanitarian crises are on the rise. This situation has also led to disruptions in essential public services. For this reason, Nigeria must strengthen its civil protection mechanisms and intervene early by identifying threats before attacks occur.

In addition, humanitarian aid for civilians affected by the conflict should be increased, and access to education, health care, and other essential services should be facilitated. These measures will provide a comprehensive approach that also addresses the broader issues affecting the safety and resilience of civilians.

The Rise of the Boko Haram Terrorist Organization

Boko Haram emerged in the early 2000s in northeastern Nigeria under the leadership of Muhammad Yusuf. This terrorist organization rose to prominence amid a climate of social unrest in northern Nigeria. It developed in an environment characterized by a combination of poverty, unemployment, lack of education, and political instability. Dissatisfaction with government institutions contributed to the terrorist organization’s ability to gain support. Initially, Boko Haram was a movement that criticized conditions in Nigeria; however, over time, it became embroiled in conflict with the government.

 The clashes between Boko Haram and Nigerian security forces in 2009, along with the killing of Muhammad Yusuf, marked a significant turning point and led to the organization’s transformation into a more violent entity.

For this reason, the development of Boko Haram cannot be explained solely through religious ideology. The group’s rise is also linked to broader political, socioeconomic, and security issues in northern Nigeria. These conditions have contributed to the group’s expansion and its emergence as a significant security threat.

Boko Haram has given rise to a serious security problem

Following Boko Haram’s rise to power in Nigeria, security threats to civilians began to emerge. The attacks carried out by the group, particularly after 2009, have endangered the lives of civilians and turned into significant security issues. The expansion of Boko Haram’s activities has also led to mass displacement, economic hardship, and social tensions. The effects of the conflict have not been limited to physical security but have also impacted essential services such as education. Studies show that in northeastern Nigeria, where the population has been exposed to Boko Haram’s terrorist activities, school enrollment and the number of completed years of education have declined. Furthermore, it has led to a deterioration in people’s living conditions and the breakdown of social structures. This situation demonstrates that the Boko Haram problem is not merely a military threat; rather, it is a broader security issue that has long-term effects on civilian safety, access to education, and living conditions.

Nigeria’s Response to Boko Haram

Unfortunately, Nigeria’s fight against this terrorist organization has been largely military and security-focused. The government has also combated the organization through entities such as the MNJTF and CJTF. However, military interventions have not been sufficient. Intelligence shortcomings and the security forces’ treatment of civilians have led to various problems. Nigeria has implemented humanitarian aid and resettlement programs for displaced persons; however, these efforts have faced funding and capacity challenges. Therefore, in the fight against Boko Haram, in addition to military measures, it is necessary to strengthen civilian security, early warning systems, humanitarian aid, education, and health services.

FOOTNOTES

1. Sıradağ, A. (2015, 20 Mayıs). Sahra Altı Afrikası’nda terörist grupların yükselişi: Boko Haram ve Eş-Şebab. SETA. https://www.setav.org/sahra-alti-afrikasinda-terorist-gruplarin-yukselisi-boko-haram-ve-es-sebab

2. Bureau régional des Nations Unies pour l’Afrique centrale. (2017, 7 mars). Lutte contre Boko Haram. UNOCA. https://unoca.unmissions.org/en/lutte-contre-boko-haram

3. Bozkurt, B. (2018). Nijerya'da terörizm (Boko Haram terör örgütü) [Yüksek lisans tezi, Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt Üniversitesi]. AVESİS. https://avesis.aybu.edu.tr/yonetilen-tez/91517afa-9ad8-4175-afe0-31cb1735d5f6/nijeryada-terorizm-boko-haram-teror-orgutu

4. Çardak, B., Koncagül, P. B., & Öcal Arslan, Ş. (2025). Afrika’da terörizmin iki yüzü: Boko Haram ve El-Şebab’ın bibliyometrik bir analizi. Uluslararası İlişkiler ve Politika Dergisi, 5(2), 133–158. https://doi.org/10.62334/ulipod.1660431

5. Erdoğdu Başaran, R. (2025). Boko Haram: Tarihsel gelişimi ve dinî-siyasi söylemleri. Ankara Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, 66(1), 461–488.

Author : Aleyna YALÇIN is a journalist working in Nigeria.

This Policy Brief has been prepared as part of the participants / students’ assessment in the framework of the EU Politics lecture.

The content of this policy brief lies entirely with the author. It does not reflect the official opinion of Çağ University.

1. The rise of Boko Haram in Nige

KEY POINTS

ria stems from the breakdown of the political, social and economic structures that had previously enabled the group to operate freely and grow in strength.

2. Boko Haram has given rise to a serious security problem. These include terrorist attacks, regional instability, and threats to civilian and state security.

3. Protecting civilians requires more than military measures, including stronger civilian protection, early-warning systems, humanitarian assistance, and improved access to education, healthcare, and other essential services.