To escape the images of Boko Haram portrayed in the media, it is necessary to retrace the outlines of this Islamic uprising, recall its social rooting in trade guilds and crowded mosques, and review the religious underpinnings which, despite the decline of its territorial gains, have preserved their mystical impetus, thus bolstering the “call” to martyrdom. In 2014, a few Boko Haram groups decided to retreat to the Lake Chad region prior to the creation of a coalition piloted by Nigeria and its neighbors to combat the organization. The occupation of the lake by Boko Haram has resulted in a veritable regional security problem, with it becoming an epicenter for armed violence. Niger and Chad have responded by seeking to depopulate their respective parts of the lake, while Nigeria has closed access to the lake and Cameroon has not taken any action. The security response by countries involved in combatting Boko Haram has seriously worsened the disastrous current economic climate.