Goodluck Jonathan

=== Security issues ===
Jonathan's administration was heavily criticized for its failure to tackle insecurity. The first major challenge was the [[October 2010 Abuja attacks|October 2010 Independence Day bombing]]. Okah told the court that President Jonathan and his aides organised the attacks in Abuja in a desperate political strategy to demonise political opponents, including former military head of state General [[Ibrahim Babangida]], and to win popular sympathy ahead of the elections.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thestreetjournal.org/2012/05/%E2%80%9Cjonathan-begged-me-to-blame-north-for-october-1-blasts%E2%80%9D-henry-okah-claims/|title='Jonathan Begged Me To Blame North For October 1 Blasts', Henry Okah Claims|date=2 May 2012|work=The Street Journal|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120506074422/http://thestreetjournal.org/2012/05/%E2%80%9Cjonathan-begged-me-to-blame-north-for-october-1-blasts%E2%80%9D-henry-okah-claims/|archive-date=6 May 2012|access-date=3 May 2012}}</ref>

====2011====
On 29 May 2011, a few hours after Goodluck Jonathan was sworn in as president, [[May 2011 northern Nigeria bombings|several bombings purportedly by Boko Haram]] killed 15 and injured 55.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 16 June 2011, Boko Haram claimed to have conducted the [[2011 Abuja police headquarters bombing|Abuja police headquarters bombing]], the first known suicide attack in Nigeria.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Two months later the [[2011 Abuja United Nations bombing|United Nations building in Abuja was bombed]], signifying the first time that Boko Haram attacked an international organisation.<ref>{{Cite news|date=1 December 2014|title=Two Nigerian cities under attack|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30280888|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref> In December 2011, it carried out [[2011 Damaturu attacks|attacks in Damaturu]] killing over a hundred people, subsequently [[December 2011 Nigeria clashes|clashing with security forces in December]], resulting in at least 68 deaths.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Two days later on [[December 2011 Nigeria bombings|Christmas Day, Boko Haram attacked]] several Christian churches with bomb blasts and shootings.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Timeline of Boko Haram attacks and related violence – Nigeria|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/nigeria/timeline-boko-haram-attacks-and-related-violence|website=ReliefWeb|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2012====
Following the [[January 2012 Northern Nigeria attacks]], which left over hundreds of casualties, [[Abubakar Shekau]], a former deputy of [[Mohammed Yusuf (Boko Haram)|Mohammed Yusuf]], appeared in a video posted on YouTube.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} According to [[Reuters]], Shekau took control of the group after the death of Yusuf in 2009.<ref>{{Cite news|date=9 May 2014|title=Profile: Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau|language=en-GB|work=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18020349|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=25 September 2012|title=Boko Haram attacks – timeline|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/sep/25/boko-haram-timeline-nigeria|access-date=30 May 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Abubakar|first=Tasiu|date=2014|title=The Boko Haram Sparks|url=https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/4530/1/The%20Media%20and%20Boko%20Haram1.pdf|journal=[[Journal of African Media Studies]]|pages=97–110|via=Openaccess.city.ac.uk}}</ref> Authorities had previously believed that Shekau died during the violence in 2009.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} By early 2012, the group was responsible for over 900 deaths. On 8 March 2012, a small [[Special Boat Service]] team and the Nigerian Army [[Sokoto hostage rescue attempt|attempted to rescue]] two hostages, Chris McManus and Franco Lamolinara, being held in Nigeria by members of the Boko Haram terrorist organisation loyal to [[al-Qaeda]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The two hostages were killed before or during the rescue attempt. All the hostage takers were reportedly killed.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Winnett|first=Robert|date=8 March 2012|title=British hostage killed in failed SBS rescue bid|journal=Daily Telegraph|language=en-GB|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9132481/British-hostage-killed-in-failed-SBS-rescue-bid.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/nigeria/9132481/British-hostage-killed-in-failed-SBS-rescue-bid.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=30 May 2020|issn=0307-1235}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Boko Haram Declares War On Elderly People, Slaughter Over 50 In Borno|url=https://bizwatchnigeria.ng/boko-haram-declares-war-on-elderly-people-slaughter-over-50-in-borno/|date=22 December 2014|website=BizWatchNigeria.Ng|language=en-US|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2013====
On 18 March, a [[2013 Kano bus bombing|bus station was bombed in Kano]], with several casualties.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In May 2013, Nigerian government forces launched an offensive in the Borno region in an attempt to dislodge Boko Haram fighters after a state of emergency was called on 14 May 2013.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The state of emergency, applied to the states of [[Borno State|Borno]], [[Yobe State|Yobe]], and [[Adamawa State|Adamawa]] in northeastern Nigeria.<ref>Greg Botelho, [http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/africa/nigeria-violence "Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan declares emergency in 3 states"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130717215935/http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/africa/nigeria-violence/|date=17 July 2013}}, CNN, 14 May 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.</ref> The offensive had initial success, but the Boko Haram rebels were able to regain their strength. Although initially offering amnesty, by June 2013 he ordered a 20-year jail term for anyone found to be in support of Boko Haram.<ref>[http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-nigeria-violence-idUKBRE9540IJ20130605 "Nigeria orders 20-year jail term for Boko Haram support"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525213411/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/05/uk-nigeria-violence-idUKBRE9540IJ20130605|date=25 May 2014}}. Reuters, 5 June 2013.</ref> In July 2013, Boko Haram [[Yobe State school shooting|massacred 42 students in Yobe]], bringing the school year to an early end in the state.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}  On 5 August 2013, Boko Haram launched dual attacks on Bama and Malam Fatori, leaving 35 dead.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Military-insurgents clashes kill 35 in Nigeria|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1034472|date=6 August 2013|website=DAWN.COM|language=en|access-date=30 May 2020}}</ref>

====2014====
On 16 January 2014, it was reported that Jonathan had sacked his military high command in response to their inability to end the Islamist-led insurgency in Northern Nigeria.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759755 "Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan sacks military chiefs"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181202105439/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-25759755|date=2 December 2018}}, BBC News, 16 January 2014.</ref> On 14 April, over 200 schoolgirls in [[Chibok]] were [[2014 Chibok kidnapping|kidnapped]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} A few weeks later in May, a terrorist [[Chibok ambush|offensive]] was launched against the military in Chibok. Many demonstrations called for the government to be more responsive; Jonathan asked that demonstrators focus on blaming Boko Haram itself for the abductions.<ref>[http://www.nigerianeye.com/2014/05/blame-boko-haram-over-abduction-of.html Blame Boko Haram for the abduction of Chibok girls - Jonathan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525195852/http://www.nigerianeye.com/2014/05/blame-boko-haram-over-abduction-of.html|date=25 May 2014}}. NigerianEye.com Retrieved 24 May 2014</ref> Jonathan initially denied that there had been any abduction at all, but then later signaled his government would do a prisoner release in exchange for the kidnapped girls. Discussions then took place in Paris with foreign ministers from France, Britain, the United States and Israel, where he agreed no deals should be struck with terrorists. He then called off the exchange at the last minute on 24 May 2014.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} This reportedly enraged Boko Haram leaders.<ref name="ExchangeScrapped222">{{cite news|url=http://www.nigeriasun.com/index.php/sid/222347979/scat/8db1f72cde37faf3/ht/Nigerian-government-called-off-deal-to-free-kidnapped-girls|title=Nigerian government 'called off deal' to free kidnapped girls|access-date=27 May 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528021909/http://www.nigeriasun.com/index.php/sid/222347979/scat/8db1f72cde37faf3/ht/Nigerian-government-called-off-deal-to-free-kidnapped-girls|archive-date=28 May 2014|publisher=Nigeria Sun}}</ref>

In May 2014, [[2014 Jos bombings|two bombs exploded in Jos]], resulting in the deaths of at least 118 people and the injury or over 56 others.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} During the [[June 2014 Northern Nigeria attacks]], a plaza in the capital city was bombed and hundreds of villagers attacked in a two-day killing spree in [[Kaduna State|Kaduna.]]{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In November, Boko Haram [[2014 Kano bombing|bombed the city of Kano]], attempting to assassinate the Emir [[Muhammadu Sanusi II]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Starting in late 2014, Boko Haram militants attacked several Nigerian towns in the North and captured them.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} This prompted the Nigerian government to launch an offensive, and with the help of Chad, Niger, and Cameroon, they have recaptured many areas that were formerly under the control of Boko Haram. In late 2014, Boko Haram seized control of [[Bama, Nigeria|Bama]], according to the town's residents.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In December 2014, it was reported that "people too elderly to flee Gwoza Local Government Area were being rounded up and taken to two schools where the militants opened fire on them.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}" Over 50 elderly people in Bama were killed. A "gory" video was released of insurgents shooting over a hundred civilians in a school dormitory in the town of Bama.<ref>{{cite web|last=Muyiwa|first=Afolabi|title=AFRICAN INSURGENCY the challenges of peace and security|url=https://www.academia.edu/26978386|language=en}}</ref>

====2015====
Between 3 and 7 January 2015, Boko Haram attacked the town of [[Baga, Nigeria|Baga]] and [[2015 Baga massacre|killed up to 2,000 people]], perhaps the largest [[2015 Baga massacre|massacre]] by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 10 January 2015, a bomb attack took place at the Monday Market in [[Maiduguri]], killing 19 people.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The city is considered to be at the heart of the Boko Haram insurgency. In the early hours of 25 January 2015, Boko Haram launched a major assault on the city.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 26 January 2015 [[CNN]] reported that the attack on Maiduguri by "hundreds of gunmen" had been repelled, but the nearby town of [[Monguno]] was captured by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} The Nigerian Army claimed to have successfully repelled another attack on Maiduguri on 31 January 2015.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Starting in late January 2015, a coalition of military forces from Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger began a [[counter-insurgency]] campaign against Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 4 February 2015, the [[Military of Chad|Chad Army]] killed over 200 Boko Haram militants.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Soon afterwards, Boko Haram launched an attack on the Cameroonian town of [[Fotokol]], killing 81 civilians, 13 Chadian soldiers and 6 Cameroonian soldiers.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 17 February 2015 the Nigerian military retook Monguno in a coordinated air and ground assault.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 7 March 2015, Boko Haram's leader [[Abubakar Shekau]] pledged allegiance to the [[Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant]] (ISIL) via an audio message posted on the organisation's Twitter account.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Nigerian army spokesperson Sami Usman Kukasheka said the pledge was a sign of weakness and that Shekau was like a "drowning man". That same day, [[March 2015 Maiduguri suicide bombing|five suicide bomb blasts]] left 54 dead and 143 wounded. On 12 March 2015, ISIL's spokesman [[Abu Mohammad al-Adnani]] released an audiotape in which he welcomed the pledge of allegiance, and described it as an expansion of the group's caliphate to West Africa.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Following its declaration of loyalty to ISIL, Boko Haram was designated as the group's "West Africa Province" (Islamic State West Africa Province, or ISWAP) while Shekau was appointed as its first [[Vali (governor)|vali]] (governor). Furthermore, ISIL started to support Boko Haram, but also began to interfere in its internal matters. For example, ISIL's central leadership attempted to reduce Boko Haram's brutality toward civilians and internal critics, as Shekau's ideology was "too extreme even for the Islamic State".{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

On 24 March 2015, residents of [[Damasak]], Nigeria said that Boko Haram had taken more than 400 women and children from the town as they fled from coalition forces.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 27 March 2015, the Nigerian army captured [[Gwoza]], which was believed to be the location of Boko Haram headquarters.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On election day, 28 March 2015, Boko Haram extremists killed 41 people, including a legislator, to discourage hundreds from voting.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} [[Niger Army]] soldiers during [[counter-insurgency]] operations against Boko Haram in March 2015. In March 2015, Boko Haram lost control of the Northern Nigerian towns of [[Bama, Nigeria|Bama]] and [[Gwoza]] (believed to be their headquarters) to the [[Nigerian Army]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}  The Nigerian authorities said that they had taken back 11 of the 14 districts previously controlled by Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} In April 2016, four Boko Haram camps in the [[Sambisa Forest]] were overrun by the Nigerian military who freed nearly 300 females.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} Boko Haram forces were believed to have retreated to the [[Mandara Mountains]], along the [[Cameroon–Nigeria border]]. On 16 March 2015, the Nigerian army said that it had recaptured Bama.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}} On 27 March 2015, the day before the [[2015 Nigerian general election|Nigerian presidential election]], the [[Nigerian Army]] announced that it had recaptured the town of Gwoza from Boko Haram.{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}

By April 2015, the Nigerian military was reported to have retaken most of the areas previously controlled by Boko Haram in Northeastern Nigeria, except for the [[Sambisa Forest]]. In May 2015, the Nigerian military announced that they had released about 700 women from camps in [[Sambisa Forest]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2020}}