Canada Formally Designates Boko Haram, One Other As Terrorist Organizations

boko-haram-3Canada has joined the United States of America (USA) to formally designate Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram and the Caucasus Emirate as terrorist organizations under the country’s Criminal Code.

Makin the announcement in a statement dated December 30 in Ottawa and published on Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the minister, Steven Blaney, said: “Boko Haram is an organisation that is responsible for over 300 attacks in Northern Nigeria, which have resulted in the death of over 1,000 people.

“The Caucasus Emirate has carried out terrorist activities in Russia, resulting in the death and injury of many Russian civilians and security personnel”, the statement said.

“Listing these organisations as a terrorist entity sends a strong message those actions will not be tolerated,” Blaney was quoted as saying in the statement.

The statement noted that listing terrorist entities would facilitate the prosecution of perpetrators and supporters of terrorism, as well as countering terrorist financing.

The statement added that under Canada’s criminal code, any person or group listed may have their assets confiscated and forfeited.