What Actually Happened
The UN Security Council met in early 2017 to consider the increasing violence in Nigeria and its neighbors in the Lake Chad basin. Ultimately, the Council adopted a resolution strongly condemning terror attacks. The Council also called for increased cooperation among Nigeria and its neighbors to combat Boko Haram. It also called for greater attention to human rights practices from the region’s governments and increased international assistance for the fight against Boko Haram. The resolution further called on the UN Secretary General to produce a report detailing the security, humanitarian, and economic challenges that the region faces. With the resolution, the Security Council signaled that the world’s attention was on the deteriorating situation in Nigeria, but ultimately opted not to take robust coordinated international action to assist Nigeria.
In the following years, increased international attention did lead several countries to supply assistance to Nigeria in its fight against Boko Haram. U.S. President Donald Trump increased counterterrorism assistance, including by approving the sale of twelve light surveillance aircraft to Nigeria. In January 2021, shortly before Trump left office, the Nigerian government further proposed purchasing twelve heavy attack helicopters. They also requested munitions and accompanying defense systems. Although the U.S. Congress initially blocked the sale over human rights concerns, President Joe Biden approved it in April 2022. The United Kingdom promised additional equipment and training support for Nigerian security forces. Italy delivered five AW109 attack helicopters. Russia agreed to a contract for twelve Mi-35 helicopter gunships.
Nigerian security forces and military have continued to commit human rights violations and crimes under Nigerian law. These violations include illegal executions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and incommunicado detentions. In one of the worst abuses, reports surfaced in February 2020 of the Nigerian military burning down villages and forcibly displacing hundreds of people.
Despite increased international assistance, Boko Haram remained active and, starting in late 2018, instances of violence spiked. Boko Haram increasingly began attacking Nigerian state targets—primarily military and police personnel. Successful attacks on troops and military installations allowed the group to supply itself to carry out further attacks. Militants also turned more frequently to suicide bombings. These attacks indicate both a shift in tactics and a new role for women within the group. Boko Haram has deployed more female suicide bombers than any other terrorist group in history. In 2019 alone, Boko Haram’s attacks forced more than sixty thousand Nigerians to flee to neighboring Cameroon and Chad.
In May 2021, multiple Nigerian news reports announced the death of Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram’s main faction. In the months after the announcement, defections from Boko Haram multiplied. However, the group and various factions that have splintered off from it have continued to conduct attacks in Northern Nigeria.
In February 2023, Nigeria elected a new president, Bola Tinubu. Tinubu received international praise for some early economic reforms after taking office. However, Tinubu has also faced criticism over failing to adopt human rights reforms and allegations of corruption.
The UN Security Council turned its attention to Nigeria and the surrounding region several times in the years following its initial 2017 resolution. It repeatedly condemned outbursts of violence and expressed concern over developments in the area. However, the Council refrained from taking stronger action. Still, the Security Council could once again face the question of whether and how to address terrorism in Nigeria.