Media Note
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November 13, 2013
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Abuja, Nigeria
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
For
Immediate
Release
Terrorist Designations of Boko Haram and Ansaru
The
Department of State has announced the designation of Boko Haram and Ansaru as
Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTO) under Section 219 of the Immigration and
Nationality Act, as amended, and as Specially
Designated Global Terrorists under section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224.
Boko Haram is a Nigeria-based militant group with links to al-Qa’ida in the
Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) that is responsible for thousands of deaths in northeast
and central Nigeria over the last several
years including targeted killings of civilians. Also operating in
Nigeria, Ansaru is a Boko Haram splinter faction that earlier in 2013
kidnapped and executed seven international construction workers.
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. 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.
These
designations will assist U.S. and other law enforcement partners in efforts to
investigate and prosecute terrorist suspects associated with Boko Haram and
Ansaru.
Boko Haram
has been conducting an ongoing and brutal campaign against Nigerian military,
government, and civilian targets. Among its most lethal attacks, Boko
Haram carried out indiscriminate attacks in Benisheikh, Nigeria in September
2013 that killed more than 160 innocent civilians, including women and
children. Boko Haram has also conducted attacks against international
targets, including a suicide bombing of the United Nations building in Abuja on
August 26, 2011, that killed 21 people and injured dozens more, many of them
aid workers supporting development projects across Nigeria.
Ansaru’s
attacks have focused on Nigerian military and Western targets. In
November 2012, Ansaru raided a police station in Abuja, killing Nigerian police
officers and freeing detained terrorists from prison. Also in January
2013, Ansaru attacked Nigerian security services when its members ambushed a
convoy of Nigerian peacekeepers. Ansaru has also conducted several
kidnappings of foreigners living or working in Nigeria.
The
consequences of the these FTO and E.O. 13224 designations include a prohibition
against knowingly providing, or attempting or conspiring to provide, material
support or resources to, or engaging in transactions with, Boko Haram and
Ansaru, and the freezing of all property and interests in property of the
organizations that are in the United States, or come within the United States
or the control of U.S. persons. The Department of State took these actions in consultation with the Departments of
Justice and Treasury.
# # #
Information Office
Public Affairs Section
Embassy of the United States of America
Plot 1075 Diplomatic Drive
Central Business District
Abuja, F.C.T.
Tel: 09-461-4000
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