United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links with the Islamist sects Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
The action was detailed in an over 3,000-page document released over the weekend by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, which also included individuals sanctioned for cybercrime and other security threats.
This development follows recent recommendations by the United States Congress calling for visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and various Miyetti Allah groups over alleged atrocities described as “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
According to OFAC, the comprehensive document serves as a reference list of Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) whose property and interests have been blocked under counter-terrorism and sanctions programs.
“This publication provides actual notice of actions by OFAC regarding Specially Designated Nationals and other persons whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the sanctions programmes,” the agency stated.
Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties with Boko Haram and previously convicted in the UAE for helping establish a fundraising cell. In 2022, he was among six Nigerians found guilty of attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to fighters in Nigeria.
Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, appeared under multiple aliases and was designated under [SDNTK].
Also listed is Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al‑Barnawi, known as Ba Idrisa, flagged under terrorism sanctions.
A further designation was made for Abu Musab Al‑Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, identified as a Boko Haram leader with varying recorded birth years between 1990 and 1995.
The publication also included Khaled Al‑Barnawi, listed twice under different spellings and linked to Boko Haram, carrying aliases such as Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman.
Another Nigerian, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, and reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, was also linked to Boko Haram.
Additionally, Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al‑Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was designated for having ties to ISIL.
The list further named Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, who was sanctioned under [CYBER2] provisions.
According to the sanctions, all property and interests belonging to these individuals within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Nigerians listed under the OFAC sanctions face penalties enforced under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorism financing networks. The U.S. designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organization in 2013, citing thousands of deaths across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.
The designation framework is guided by U.S. laws including section 1754(c) of the National Defense Authorization Act (2019), section 40 of the Arms Export Control Act, and section 620A of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
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