Revenge as a Driver, The Role of Female Soldiers, and the Impact of the Social Circle in Recruitment

This report which is derived from interviews with 1607 ordinary Nigerian citizens, 60 individuals representing civil society working in Boko Haram affected areas, and 130 former Boko Haram members in Adamawa and Borno States in Nigeria in December 2015, explores people’s perceptions of why and how individuals become involved in Boko Haram, and compares these perceptions to empirical evidence. Secondly, the differences between male and female Boko Haram members will also be analyzed. The research was funded by the Ministry of Finland for Foreign Affairs, Finn Church Aid (FCA), the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), and the Network for Religious and Traditional Peacemakers.