Boko Haram is Nigeria's militant Islamist group. The group's official name is Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, which in Arabic means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad", but the nickname Boko Haram can be loosely translated as "Western education is forbidden". The aim of the group is to overthrow the government and create an Islamic state because the group regards the Nigerian state as being run by non-believers, even when the country had a Muslim president.

The group operates mainly in northern Nigeria which is the poorest part of the country. Boko Haram's trademark was originally the use of gunmen on motorbikes, killing police, politicians and anyone who criticises it, including clerics from other Muslim traditions and Christian preachers. The group has also staged more audacious attacks in northern and central Nigeria, including bombing churches, bus ranks, bars, military barracks and even the police and UN headquarters in the capital, Abuja. Recently, Boko Haram abducted 250+ secondary school girls in Chibok (May 14, 2014) demanding the release of Boko Haram members being held by Nigerian government. Moreover, Boko haram started to threaten that if their companions are not going to be released they will sell these girls off as slaves.