Daily Digest Online

A historical examination of socio-religious revolts, their drivers, and their enduring impact on Nigeria's security and social fabric. The landscape of Northern Nigeria has been marked by periodic eruptions of violent, religiously framed uprisings that have challenged state authority and caused immense human suffering.  While often simplistically labeled as "jihad" or "Muslim terrorism," these movements—from the Maitatsine riots of the 1980s to the ongoing Boko Haram insurgency—are complex phenomena rooted in a confluence of theological dissent, socio-economic marginalization, political manipulation, and historical grievances.  This analysis traces this evolution, seeking to understand the changing nature of these conflicts while maintaining an objective focus on facts, contexts, and consequences. Part 1: The Maitatsine Uprisings (1980-1985) – A Millenarian Revolt The first major shock to post-colonial Nigeria's stability ...