The 2016 presidential race has highlighted the importance of stopping the spread of radi- cal Islamic terrorism in Iraq and Syria and throughout the Middle East. The attacks on our western allies and on our own soil, have increased our attention to ISIS. While the eyes of the our nation focuses on our middle eastern enemy, it is also important to note the rise of another radical Islamic terrorist group, Boko Haram.

Boko Haram is a self-proclaimed jihadist terrorist organization primarily active in the region of northeastern Nigeria. Literally translating to “western education is forbidden,” Boko Haram has often been com- pared to the Taliban in terms of religious, Sharia and Islamist, purpose and action. In March of last year, Boko Haram’s leading officials pledged their allegiance to ISIS.

On Saturday night, terrorists loyal to Boko Haram raided a small village in northern Nigeria, setting the village on fire, killing 65 and wounding several more. The terrorists, armed with ma- chine guns and knives, rode into the town on motorcycles, quickly causing havoc to the small Dal- ori Village. According to locals interviewed after the attack, the assault came only minutes after villagers finished their evening prayers.

While several Boko Haram militants opened fire on civilians, others detonated two bombs which “added to our fright and confusion,” one villager said. Local Nigerian media outlets reported that several of the ca- sualties suffered occurred when villagers were burned to death in their homes.

Boko Haram has been committing similar acts of terror since 2003, though the group is suspected to have formed as early as the late 1990s, according to CNN. In late 2003, hundreds of armed militants attacked po- lice stations near Nigeria’s border with Niger, making their pres- ence known in the country.

After several years of dor- mancy, the terror organization resurfaced in July 2009 by killing hundreds of police officers in an event known as the “Boko Haram Uprising. Following the uprising and replacement of prior Boko Haram leadership in late 2009 and early 2010, Boko Haram has committed over 23 acts of terror- ism from September 2010 to the present day. Along with the at- tacks, the group has also released over a dozen propaganda videos in perpetuation of the group.

In 2014, Boko Haram made waves in the international com- munity when militants abducted an estimated 276 teenage girls from a Nigerian boarding school. Hundreds of additional women and girls were kidnapped from northern Nigerian villages in the following months, according to CNN. The event gained traction in the United States when First Lady Michelle Obama and other notable public figures kicked off the #bringbackourgirls hashtag campaign. Following the social media campaign, the US military began to aid Nigerian military troops in large scale effort to rescue the kidnapped victims.