FULL LIST: US freezes assets of eight Nigerians over Boko Haram, ISIL, cybercrime links

Kazeem Biriowo

The United States government has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians over alleged ties to the extremist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as cyber-related offences, blocking any property or financial interests they hold within American jurisdiction.

The measures were contained in a February 10 publication by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a sanctions unit of the United States Department of the Treasury, which updated its ‘Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List’.

According to the document, the listing serves as a formal notice to the global financial system that the individuals’ assets are frozen and that American citizens and companies are generally barred from conducting transactions with them.

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The sanctions followed growing pressure in Washington, where lawmakers recently recommended visa bans and asset freezes against certain Nigerians accused of religious-freedom violations, including former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria.

Among those named by OFAC is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, who authorities said was part of a network convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to insurgents in Nigeria.

Others listed include Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, identified under counter-terrorism sanctions; Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi; Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, described as a Boko Haram commander; Khaled Al-Barnawi; Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, reportedly based in Abu Dhabi; Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, linked to ISIL; and Nnamdi Orson Benson, designated under cybercrime sanctions.

OFAC said the action forms part of broader counter-terrorism financing efforts designed to prevent sanctioned persons from accessing the international financial system.

Under the order, all property and interests belonging to the affected individuals that fall within US jurisdiction are blocked.

Washington designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013, citing its deadly attacks across Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.