The US State Department on Thursday designated the commander of Nigeria-based militant group Boko Haram Abubakar Shekau as Specially Designated Global Terrorist.
Shekau is the most visible leader of the Nigeria-based militant group Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati Wal-Jihad, commonly referred to as Boko Haram.
The US also designated Khalid al-Barnawi and Abubakar Adam Kambar, who have ties to Boko Haram and have close links to al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Under Shekau's leadership, Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in northern Nigeria, its primary area of operation. In the last 18 months, Boko Haram or associated militants have killed more than 1,000 people.
The designation blocks all of Shekau's, Kambar's and al-Barnawi's property interests subject to U.S. jurisdiction and prohibits U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with or for the benefit of these individuals.
These designations demonstrate the United States' resolve in diminishing the capacity of Boko Haram to execute violent attacks, the Department of State said in a statement. It took these actions in consultation with the Departments of Justice and Treasury.
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