The United States government on Wednesday formally designated Nigerian Islamist groups, Boko Haram and Ansaru, as terrorist organizations, a status that basically requires US regulatory agencies to block business and financial transactions with the groups.
It will become a crime under US law to provide material support to the two groups henceforth.
The US department of state announced the designation Wednesday, citing section 219 of the US Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, and as Specially Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.
“These designations are an important and appropriate step, but only one tool in what must be a comprehensive approach by the Nigerian government to counter these groups through a combination of law enforcement, political, and development efforts, as well as military engagement, to help root out violent extremism while also addressing the legitimate concerns of the people of northern Nigeria,” the states department said in a statement.
“All of our assistance to Nigeria stresses the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that human rights are respected. That assistance and these designations demonstrate U.S. support for the Nigerian people’s fight against Boko Haram and Ansaru.”
The decision came six months after the Nigerian government named the two organizations as terrorists groups, at a time the US also listed Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, and two others, as foreign terrorists.
Mr. Shekau is the world’s ninth most dangerous foreign terrorists, the US said; and has placed a $7 million (N1.1 billion) bounty on his head.
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