groups – Boko Haram and Ansaru – as 'foreign terrorist organisations
and specially designated global terrorists'.
President Barack Obama's top homeland security and counter-terrorism
adviser, Lisa Monaco, said in a statement that the two groups have
been responsible for thousands of deaths in north-east and central
Nigeria in recent years, including a 2011 attack on a U.N. building in
Abuja that killed 21 people.
"By cutting these terrorist organisations off from U.S. financial
institutions and enabling banks to freeze assets held in the United
States, these designations demonstrate our strong support for
Nigeria's fight against terrorism and its efforts to address security
challenges in the north," she said.
"We encourage Nigeria to pursue a comprehensive counter-terrorism
approach that uses law enforcement tools effectively, creates economic
opportunity, and ensures that human rights are protected and
respected."
The designation cuts off Boko Haram and Ansaru from U.S. financial
institutions and allows banks to freeze their assets held in the
United States.
The announcement came as a U.S. Congressional subcommittee holds a
hearing on the threat posed by Boko Haram, Nigeria's most prominent
militant organisation.
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