Boko Haram: A bloody insurgency, a growing challenge

Boko Haram 'increasingly monstrous' 02:52

Story highlights

• Boko Haram's aim is to impose strict enforcement of Sharia law in Nigeria
• The name translates to "Western education is sin"
• The group was founded 12 years ago by Mohammed Yusuf, a charismatic cleric
• Nigerian police killed him in 2009 in an incident captured on video and posted online

(CNN)Boko Haram's escalating danger is indisputable.

The militant group has bombed schools, churches and mosques; kidnapped women and children; and assassinated politicians and religious leaders alike. 

Nigerian military disorganized, under-equipped in battle against Boko Haram

Northern Nigeria (CNN)

  I didn't want to ask the question. I could already guess the pain behind the answer.

"Do you think your husband is dead?"

Her mouth twists, contorting her young face, tears welling in her already reddened eyes.

"I don't know... I pray to God to give him another chance," she finally manages to stutter.

Her sadness is heavy and blankets both of us.

She tells me she has three children, and they last saw their father four months ago when he went back to his army unit on the front line in Nigeria's battle with the radical Islamist extremist group Boko Haram.