ABUJA, Nigeria, June 5 (UPI) -- Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan says he has banned two extremist insurgent groups and threatened long prison terms for anyone collaborating with them.
Signing a presidential order, Jonathan declared Boko Haram and another group, Ansaru, to be terrorist groups, the Daily Trust reported Wednesday.
The order said anyone found to be collaborating with the organizations could be sentenced to a prison term of at least 20 years.
Also Tuesday, U.S. officials said Abubakar Shekau, the leader of Boko Haram, could be tried in the United States when he is caught.
On Monday, the United States offered a $23 million reward for information leading to the locations of Shekau and four terrorists with al-Qaida in the Islamic Mahgreb (AQIM).
The wanted suspects are accused of masterminding terrorist activities and the abductions of foreigners in West Africa.
Kurt Rice, the U.S. acting assistant director in charge of investigating threats to diplomatic security who announced the rewards program, said capture of Shekau would "check" attacks in Nigeria linked to the group and "make (Nigeria) a more stable and secure area."
He said about $125 million had been paid out to more than 80 people since the reward program, known as Rewards for Justice, began in 1984.
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