Former Commander of Operation Safe Haven, Henry Ayoola has raised fresh concerns over the ideology and perceived mischaracterisation of the insurgent group commonly known as Boko Haram.
Ayoola made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he spoke extensively about the group’s origins and what he described as a long-standing misunderstanding of its true identity and objectives.
According to the retired general, the widely used name “Boko Haram” does not accurately reflect the group’s ideological foundation. “Their true name which is ‘Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad’, that’s the real name which says the people of the prophet, the book and Jihad. So this is a jihadist organization deliberately hidden all along so that we think we are fighting something that got nothing to do with Jihad,” he said.
Ayoola argued that the misrepresentation of the group’s name may have contributed to gaps in public understanding and counterinsurgency strategies. He suggested that recognizing the group’s self-declared identity is essential in addressing both its operational tactics and ideological motivations.
He further noted that insurgencies driven by strong ideological convictions require more than just military responses, stressing the importance of counter-narratives and community engagement in tackling extremist beliefs.
The Boko Haram insurgency has persisted for over a decade, particularly in Nigeria’s North-East region, resulting in significant humanitarian and security challenges. Despite sustained military operations, the group has continued to carry out attacks, raising questions about the effectiveness of existing strategies........…