US sanctions eight Nigerians over alleged Boko Haram and ISIL links, freezing assets under counter-terrorism and cybercrime measures
The United States Government has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, freezing their assets under counter-terrorism measures.
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The action was detailed in a 3,000-page document dated February 10 and released by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The publication forms part of the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” which identifies individuals and entities subject to asset freezes and transaction prohibitions.
According to OFAC, the move is designed to block property and interests of designated persons within US jurisdiction and to prevent financial dealings involving them.
The sanctions also extend to individuals linked to cybercrime and other security threats.
Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990, in Nigeria.
He was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for involvement in raising funds for Boko Haram.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, was also designated under terrorism-related sanctions.
The publication listed several aliases associated with his name.
Other individuals named include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi and Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, both identified as Boko Haram leaders and flagged under terrorism provisions.
Khaled Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, also appeared in the document under multiple aliases.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, reportedly residing in Abu Dhabi, was listed alongside Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, who was identified as having ties to ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson was designated under cyber-related sanctions.
Under Executive Order 13224, all property and interests of the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
The development follows recent discussions in the US Congress recommending visa bans and asset freezes for certain Nigerian individuals and organisations over alleged religious freedom violations.
The United States designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013, citing the group’s involvement in attacks across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region since 2009.
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The latest sanctions underscore Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats through targeted financial restrictions.
