The United States government has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), according to a document released by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The action was detailed in an extensive update to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List published on February 10. The document outlines individuals and entities whose assets are blocked under U.S. sanctions programmes, particularly those related to counter-terrorism and cybercrime.
OFAC said the publication is intended to provide notice to the public and assist with compliance.
“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons … whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency stated.
Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, who was identified as having ties to Boko Haram. Yusuf was previously among Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for establishing a Boko Haram financing cell. Authorities said the group attempted to transfer hundreds of thousands of dollars from Dubai to Nigeria.
Other individuals named in the sanctions include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, Khaled Al-Barnawi, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, all designated under terrorism-related executive orders for alleged connections to Boko Haram or ISIL.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero was also designated and listed under multiple aliases, while Nnamdi Orson Benson was sanctioned under cyber-related provisions.
Under the sanctions, all property and interests of the affected individuals within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
The United States designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013, citing the group’s involvement in violent insurgency and attacks across Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.
The latest sanctions come amid continued international scrutiny of Nigeria’s security situation and counter-terrorism efforts.
