Nigeria formally asks United Nations to blacklist Boko Haram

A decision will be taken Thursday.

The Nigerian government has formally asked the United Nations Security Council to blacklist the extremist group, Boko Haram.

Nigeria urged the Security Council al Qaeda sanctions committee to recognize the group as a terrorist organization, indicating a further raise in the government’s effort to root the group.

The move comes days after President Goodluck Jonathan asked for wider international sanctions against the group.

At the Paris security summit Saturday, Mr. Jonathan called for efforts to outlaw the group that is responsible for thousands of deaths since 2009.

“At the international level, we should take concrete steps to designate the Al Qaeda in West Africa, alias Boko Haram, as a Terrorist Organisation on the basis of the Proscription Order that my government has already imposed on the organisation,” the president said.

“We should also accelerate the implementation of other international sanctions, particularly under the auspices of the United Nations, on Boko Haram, Ansaru and their principal leaders.”

The Nigerian government has filed the Application for the U.N. to outlaw the group, news Reuters agency quoted a diplomatic source as saying Tuesday.

Such sanctions will, amongst other measures, require all countries under the U.N. charter to freeze financial assets and economic resources of Boko Haram members and its leaders.

The countries will also be required to impose travel ban and an arms embargo on the group, its members and sponsors.

The Nigerian government had largely refused to seek broad international assistance against the group until the abduction of more than 250 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State.

The kidnapping sparked global outrage. The United States, United Kingdom, France and Israel have sent specialist teams to Nigeria to help rescue the girls. They are also providing intelligence and surveillance.

Reuters’ report says if there is no objection by the 15-member council committee, which operates by consensus, Boko Haram will be sanctioned at 7 p.m. Thursday.