President
Goodluck Jonathan has formally approved the
proscription of Boko Haram and authorized the gazetting of an
order declaring the group’s activities as acts of terrorism.
The order, which has been gazetted as the Terrorism
(Prevention) (Proscription Order) Notice 2013, affects both Boko Haram (Jamaatu
Ahlis-Sunna Liddaawati Wal Jihad) and Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis
Sudan (Ansaru). The order was approved by President Jonathan pursuant to
section 2 0f the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2011 (As Amended).
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on
Media and Publicity, Rueben Abati, said this “officially brings the
activities of both groups within the purview of the Terrorism Prevention Act
and any persons associated with the two groups can now be legally prosecuted
and sentenced to penalties specified in the Act”.
The statement said the proscription order warns the
general public that any person “participating in any form of activities
involving or concerning the collective intentions of the said groups will be
violating the provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act”.
Section 5 (1) of the act prescribes a term of
imprisonment of not less than 20 years for any person who “knowingly, in any
manner, directly or indirectly, solicits or renders support for the commission
of an act of terrorism or to a terrorist group.
“For the purposes of subsection (1) of section,
“support” includes – (a) incitement to commit a terrorist act through the
internet, or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or
through the dissemination of terrorist information; (b) receipt or provision of
material assistance, weapons including biological, chemical or nuclear weapons,
explosives, training, transportation, false documentation or identification to
terrorists or terrorist groups; (c) receipt or provision of information or
moral assistance, including invitation to adhere to a terrorist or terrorist
group; (d) entering or remaining in a country for the benefit of, or at the
direction of or in association with a terrorist group; or (e) the provision of,
or making available, such financial or other related services prohibited under
this Act or as may be prescribed by regulations made pursuant to this Act.”
Boko Haram is currently engaging Nigerian forces in a
battle in the North Eastern part of the country. The group has claimed
responsibility or is blamed for the killing of thousands of people since it
launched its violent offensive in 2009.
Ansaru carries out fewer attacks and largely focuses on
the kidnap of foreigners and attack on security personnel.
The president declared a State of
Emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa in order to curtail the activities of the
insurgents after other options appeared not to be working. The U.S. also
officially labeled the Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, a terrorist and
placed a $7 million (N1.1 billion) bounty for his capture.
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