Sec. 1270. Sense of Congress on Nigeria and Boko Haram
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/bill/113/hr/4435/pcs/section-1270·A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress makes the following findings: In recent years, Boko Haram has furthered violence and instability in Nigeria and bordering countries. The terrorist group known as Boko Haram, which translates to Western education is forbidden, perpetrates violent attacks in Nigeria and has grown in strength and sophistication since its founding in 2002. Boko Haram kidnapped over 200 female students on April 14, 2014, killed over 50 male students on February 25, 2014, and continues to violently attack innocent civilians throughout Nigeria.
Boko Haram has previously attacked Western interests, bombing the United Nations building in Abuja on August 26, 2011, and was affiliated with taking Western hostages in Bauchi on February 16, 2013, and later killing seven hostages. As stated by United States Ambassador to Nigeria Terrence P. McCulley in 2012, the threat of Boko Haram is growing: We . ve seen an increase in sophistication, we ve seen increased lethality. We saw at least a part of the group has decided it’s in their interest to attack the international community.
In June 2012, the Department of State added three leaders of Boko Haram, Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar, and Khalid al-Barnawi, to the Specially Designated Global Terrorist list. In November 2013, the Department of State designated Boko Haram and its splinter group, Ansaru, as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. Boko Haram shares the ideological designs of al Qaeda, and has made public pledges of support to Osama bin Laden, al-Qaeda, and al-Shabaab. Boko Haram poses a broader threat to interests in Nigeria, the Sahel, Europe, and the United States.
In light of the findings specified in subsection (a), it is the sense of Congress that the Secretary of Defense should— take appropriate action with allies and partners of the United States to fight Boko Haram’s violence and ideology; partner with Nigeria’s regional neighbors to counter Boko Haram’s cross-border activity and respond to emerging threats; and develop a long-term, interagency strategy to combat Boko Haram and Ansaru, reassess United States assistance to Nigeria, and brief Congress on this strategy.