The US which has been hesitant to declare Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation, has set in motion a massive manhunt for the terrorist leaders, who have spread insecurity across Nigeria and the West African region.
US Embassy officials say that while they await clarification from Washington on the exact details, they would not rule out the possibility of a US-led manhunt which is growing impatient with activities of the Islamic militants in West Africa.
The US already has a surveillance drone base in Niger Republic.
Lat year, the State Department designated three Boko Haram leaders as terrorists. They are Abubakar Shekau, Abubakar Adam Kambar and Khalid el Barnawi, all thought to have ties with a North African branch of Al-Qaeda.
The move meant any assets belonging to the men in the US would be frozen, and contact with US citizens was prohibited.
The United States thinks that some members of Boko Haram have connections with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a group already designated as a terrorist organisation by the US.
The Federal Government has welcomed the decision. Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Reuben Abati said that “It is a positive development, we welcome any effort of the international community to support Nigeria’s effort at waging war against terrorism and its perpetrators.
The multi-national Joint Task Force had in November 2012, placed a N50 million bounty on Abubakar Shekau; N25 million on Habibu Yusuf (a.k.a Asalafi), Khaho Albarnawai, Momodu Bama and Moyamme Zangina while N10 million was placed on 14 other Boko Haram commanders including Abu Saad, Abu Kaka, Aboulamakka Bama and Umar Fuyata.
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