Communication, Media and the Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria, By Danjuma Gambo, Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited, Zaria, Kaduna State. 2019. ISBN 978-978-965-963-0

Abstract

The Boko Haram insurgency in the North East has continued to draw the 
attention of researchers, development workers and organizations from different parts of 
world to document the historical antecedents, impacts, media coverage, the 
humanitarian side and other related. Issues. These efforts have resulted in the 
publications of materials from different specializations inform of scholarly articles and 
opinions in newspapers and even the social media platforms. Undoubtedly, there seems 
to be divergent of narratives on the severity, nature, ideological and religious undertones 
to the conflict. The book is one of the supposedly rich narratives on insurgency, 
especially considering the composition of the authors the perhaps the focus on 
communication. 
The book Communication, media and the Boko Haram Insurgency in Nigeria, 
edited by   
Danjuma Gambo is a compilation of scholarly articles on the Boko 
Haram Insurgency in Nigeria. 
The 318-page book is structured in fourteen chapters. The book presents 
empirical and conceptual multi-disciplinary contributions from scholars.  
Chapter One looked at the rise of militancy in the Lake Chad region by tracing evolution 
of what the contributor termed as ‘radical Islam’. Ribadu provided a conceptual 
clarification on the name of Boko Haram, and looked at the activities of Boko Haram 
sect in three phases that is: the Kanamma phase, the Da’awa (radical proselytization) 
phase from 2005-2009 and; the third phase which was characterized by armed 
insurrection. Ribadu emphasized on the first two phases and was quick to categorize 
Saudi Arabia as a center for the radicalization. This categorization is a factual flaw and 
amounts to stereotype, because Saudi Arabia has produced several scholars in Nigeria 
who have been fighting radical extremism. Prominent among those produced are Late 
Sheikh Ja’afar Mahmud Adam, allegedly killed by the group members on April 13th, 
2007 for his strong opposition to the style and approach to issues.  
Chapter Two strengthened the backgrounder laid by the preceding chapter. The 
chapter focused on the sociological context of the rise and development of Boko Haram.