Erstellt am: 6. 12. 2014 - 08:00 Uhr

A Journey into the Boko Haram heartland

A journalist recounts his journey to northern Nigeria and meeting with members of the militant Islamist group.

It’s been a bloody week in northern Nigeria. More than 200 people are reported to have been killed in attacks blamed on the militant Islamist group Boko Haram. Or perhaps that should read “another” bloody week.

EPA

At least 18 people were killed in July when a car bomb exploded in a busy market in Maiduguri, where Nigeria's Islamist militant group Boko Haram was born.

Last Friday, more than 100 people were killed in a bomb attack on the main mosque in Kano, the country’s second largest city. The attackers first set off two explosions, then gunned down people trying to escape. These are just the latest examples of the relentless violence attributed to Boko Haram, which also includes kidnappings, such as the capture of 276 schoolgirls in the town of Chibok in April this year.

EPA/Ruth McDowall

Protesters march over the government's failure to rescue the kidnapped schoolgirls

Recently published data shows that the death toll from Boko Haram attacks is increasing sharply, reaching 7,000 for the period from June last year to July this year, more than triple the figure for the previous 12 months. Observers say these data make it clear that “Boko Haram-related violence is the most lethal conflict that Nigeria has confronted in decades”.

So when Reality Check had the opportunity to interview a journalist who has travelled through Nigeria on a quest to find out more about the group, and has come face-to-face with some of its members, we jumped at the chance. It’s a fascinating insight into the country, the security situation, and the people who live in the middle of such violence.

A Journey into the Boko Haram Heartland

You can hear the programme at 12 noon on Saturday and after that via the Reality Check podcast or at fm4.ORF.at/7tage.