Question

Which of the following statements is closely associated with Boko Haram?

• A. It is an organization opposed to Western education in Nigeria.
• B. It is fighting for freedom against the oppressive Nigerian regime.
• C. It wants to defend the pristine culture of Nigeria.
• D. It is an arm of the Nigerian government to promote Islam.
• E. It is an organization set up for abducting women.

Hint:

Remember: The very name "Boko Haram" translates to "Western education is forbidden," which makes its ideology easy to recall in exams.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding Boko Haram.
Boko Haram is a militant Islamist group that originated in northeastern Nigeria in 2002. The phrase "Boko Haram" is commonly translated as "Western education is forbidden," reflecting the group's strong opposition to Western-style education and values.
Step 2: Core ideology.
The group believes that Western education corrupts Islamic values and society. Its main agenda is to impose a strict interpretation of Sharia law in Nigeria and to eliminate Western influence from the region.
Step 3: Evaluating the options.
- (A) Correct, as this directly reflects Boko Haram's ideology of rejecting Western education.
- (B) Incorrect, because Boko Haram is not primarily a freedom movement against government oppression; it is ideological and extremist in nature.
- (C) Misleading, as their focus is not on preserving Nigerian culture but on enforcing radical Islam.
- (D) False, Boko Haram is not supported by the Nigerian government but rather fights against it.
- (E) Wrong, although the group has abducted women (like in the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping), that is not its primary identity.
\[ \boxed{\text{Boko Haram is an organization opposed to Western education in Nigeria.}} \]