Paper short abstract:

International humanitarian law tries to alleviate the suffering caused by war and to protect the weak during conflict. This research aimed at highlighting the activities of the Boko Haram group against the Nigerian Army and to situate the conflict into the nature of the Armed conflict it falls into.

Paper long abstract:

The high level of insurgency and violence perpetrated in Nigeria by Boko Haram group has heightened fear among the populace and the International community. This research aimed at highlighting the activities of this insurgent group vis a vis the counter insurgency measures being put in place by the Armed forces to situate the conflict into the nature of Armed conflict it falls into and also invoke the applicable rules of International humanitarian law while highlighting the obvious breaches of the relevant laws of war in such conflict. To achieve this, the doctrinal research method was adopted. It was found that the obligations on the combatants to observe the principles of distinction, precaution, proportionality and humanity were breached resulting to extra Judicial killings, hostage taking, killing of civilians and destruction of objects. This research recommends observation of the core principles of International humanitarian law by both parties to the conflict.