The geographical impact upon the media coverage of Western and Nigerian terrorist groups is paramount. Although Boko Haram's terrorist activity in the northern portion of the continent occurs almost daily, we must analyze the difference between the northern and southern portions of the continent. The north encompasses the remote, impoverished part of the continent. The south is where the more modernized and advanced parts of the continent lie. When considering Western terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS, many of these attacks take place in large scale and also on core targets of victim countries.
Boko Haram Origins
Boko Haram was more of a make-shift effort towards Islam terrorism. The resent between the north and south helped aid the sustenance of Boko Haram. The corruption within the southern government caused the Boko Haram to thrive since the south would have easily been able to abolish their presence with any mediocre military force. Boko Haram is much less organized than Western terrorists groups due to its lesser impact through social media and funding.
Similarities
Although the two groups seem to operate on completely different planes, one similarity they do share is that they have both announced a caliphate. One of the biggest similarities is in the shared belief of fundamental Islam with the goal of returning to the 'Golden Age of Islam.'
ISIS Origins
They attract the bulk of their recruits from the Middle East, Australia, the Americas, and Europe. They have also secured substantial funding from Saudi Arabia, and various Gulf countries. This faction also is very technologically advanced and connected via social media.
Islamic Terrorism. (2016, March). Retrieved from Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_terrorism#Europe Moore, J. (2014). The evolution of Islamic Terrorism: An Overview. Retrieved from PBS.org: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/target/etc/modern.html