(CNN) -- The U.N. Security Council approved sanctions
Thursday against Nigeria's Boko Haram.
It added the terrorist group to the United Nation's 1267
sanctions list, a list of al Qaeda-linked organizations subject to arms
embargoes, travel bans and asset freezes.
"Today, the Security Council took an important step in
support of the government of Nigeria's efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold
its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities," said Samantha Power,
U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
"By adding Boko Haram to the U.N.'s 1267 sanctions
list, the Security Council has helped to close off important avenues of
funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram, and shown global unity against their
savage actions," she added.
Twin blasts killed at least 118 people Tuesday at a market
in the central city of Jos.
The explosions went off 20 to 30 minutes apart, sparking an
inferno that sent crowds running and screaming, covered in blood.
Nigerian authorities described the blasts as "terrorist
activities" but declined to speculate on who might be responsible.
In separate attacks in Borno state this week, at least 30
people were killed by members of the terror group, according to local
residents.
Boko Haram attackers swooped in on motorcycles Monday and
killed 10 people in one village, residents said.
A day later, gunmen stormed a nearby village and killed 20
others, residents said.
During the attacks, Boko Haram set fire to homes and food
stores, residents said, and fired machine guns. The group has not claimed
responsibility for those attacks.
Both villages are close to where more than 200 girls were
kidnapped from a school last month. A Boko Haram leader claimed responsibility
in a chilling video and said he was willing to free the girls in exchange for
imprisoned militants.
"The sanctions designation is the latest step in the
international community's long-term effort to help Nigeria counter this
terrorist threat," Power said.
"We will continue doing everything we can to help the
people of Nigeria bring back their girls, and we will work with the government
of Nigeria to eliminate Boko Haram, including refuting their backwards and
bloodthirsty ideology, because no child anywhere should ever be afraid to
pursue a brighter future."
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