This book must have been read. Mike J. Smith is working for the AFP. He was able to speak with eye-witnesses. He stresses over and over again that the government's statements are to be taken with caution.
Smith first shows the historical background of Northern Nigeria with his caliphates and his religion and colonization by England.
One is once again conscious of what a catastrophe this was, how much damage they had made, and what from a Western point of view meant wealth and power, brought poverty and misery into the oppressed areas and brought them into a catastrophe from which they never emerge will.
The multicultural state of Nigeria could only arise through colonialization. The differences between the various ethnic groups are too great for them to develop themselves into a state. In the south one benefits from the oil cork while the north, which was always a caliphate was never able to recover and adjust by the imposed resolution. Therefore, it was and is an easy game to promote the extremists supported by Saudiarabia and the Magreb. The government is absolutely free to do something about it. If the hydra is turned off, at least three heads will grow. In this sense Boko Haram gains in strength, because the leaders are interchangeable and multiply rapidly.
The government, on the other hand, seems to be very corrupt. It cares about its own well-being and it seems that the people in the north do not care.
There is also no hope for any meaningful and clarifying help from the Western world. It looks more like they have given up Nigeria with its problems.
I do not think I am going to experience a stable Nigeria living together in peace. The differences between the different ethnic groups are too great for this. ( )

This book provides a comprehensive account of the development of Boko Haram. It covers events up to the kidnap of the Chibok schoolgirls and the subsequent #Bringbackourgirls campaign. It gives an overview of the historical and economic context for the group's development.

The author draws on a wide range of sources, including his own experience as a journalist reporting on many of the events in the book. The hard facts are interspersed with eyewitness accounts and stories that highlight the human cost of the killings. It also highlights political failings and allegations of military involvement in brutality.

It's primarily a descriptive, rather than an analytical book. It doesn't give much insight into how Boko Haram is formed and how it is funded, or about its relationship with other groups in the region and worldwide. It doesn't attempt to offer solutions.

If you already have some knowledge of the region and its politics it may not be of interest but it's a useful introduction if you want to make sense of the issues behind the headlines.
-
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley. ( )