The United States has placed sanctions on eight Nigerian nationals, freezing their assets and property over alleged connections to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and cybercrime activities.
The measures were outlined in a 3,000-page document released on February 10 by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which lists individuals and organisations whose assets are blocked under US counter-terrorism and security regulations.
The action followed recommendations from the US Congress, urging visa restrictions and asset freezes against persons and groups accused of violating religious freedoms and targeting Christians in Nigeria.
Among those highlighted were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
OFAC described the sanctions as a tool to prevent financial transactions with designated individuals and entities, emphasizing that the publication serves as official notice for compliance with US sanctions programmes.
The Nigerians sanctioned include Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents, attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Other individuals affected include Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, known by several aliases, and Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, identified as a Boko Haram member from Maiduguri, Borno State. Abu Musab Al-Barnawi and Khaled Al-Barnawi, also linked to Boko Haram, were included, along with Ibrahim Ali Alhassan residing in Abu Dhabi, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, associated with ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson was listed under sanctions for cybercrime-related offences.
Under the sanctions, all assets and property of the listed individuals within the US are blocked, and American citizens are prohibited from engaging in financial transactions with them. These restrictions fall under Executive Order 13224.
Legal Observer reports that Boko Haram was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2013.
The group has been responsible for repeated attacks in northern and northeastern Nigeria and across the Lake Chad Basin, resulting in thousands of deaths since 2009.
In October 2025, President Donald Trump again placed Nigeria on the US “Countries of Particular Concern” list, citing reports of persecution against Christians. Nigeria had first been listed in 2020 but was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after taking office.
