U.S. freezes assets of 8 Nigerians over Boko Haram, ISIL, cybercrime links

THE United States has imposed sweeping financial sanctions on 8 Nigerians accused of involvement in terrorism financing and cybercrime, ordering the immediate freezing of their assets and property under US jurisdiction.

The measures were disclosed in a 3,000-page sanctions document dated February 10 and issued by the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The publication, sighted on Monday, also contains names of individuals from other countries facing similar restrictions for security-related offences.

According to the document, those listed are suspected of having links to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and organised cybercrime networks. The designations mean that any property or financial interests belonging to the affected persons in the United States are blocked, while US citizens and companies are barred from doing business with them.

The latest action follows calls by members of the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom and persecuting Christians in Nigeria. Among those earlier mentioned by lawmakers were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal.

OFAC said the list, formally entitled the ‘Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,’ is designed to notify the public of enforcement actions and help ensure compliance with US sanctions programmes.

“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is intended as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons whose property is blocked,” the agency stated.

READ ALSO: Flashback: How Musa, Adamu, Yusuf, Ibrahim, Alhassan, Muhammad transferred $782,000 to Boko Haram pre-2022

One of the Nigerians named is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and holding a Nigerian passport. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for establishing a Boko Haram cell in Dubai and attempting to transfer $782,000 to insurgents in Nigeria.

Also listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who was designated under SDNTK sanctions. He was linked to multiple aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

Another name on the list is Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was sanctioned under terrorism-related provisions.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also known as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a Boko Haram leader, with listed birth years ranging from 1990 to 1995. He was also sanctioned for terrorism.

Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, appeared twice in the document under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman, and was linked to Boko Haram activities.

The list further includes Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, who reportedly resides in Abu Dhabi and holds a Nigerian passport. He was also linked to Boko Haram.

Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State, was sanctioned for alleged ties to ISIL.

The eighth Nigerian, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions and accused of cybercrime-related activities.

US authorities said the move is part of broader efforts to disrupt terrorism financing, dismantle extremist networks, and combat cyber threats. Under Executive Order 13224, all assets of those listed are frozen, and transactions with them are prohibited.

READ ALSO: Nigerians call for Sheikh Gumi’s arrest for condemning U.S. airstrikes on ISIS

The United States designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013. The group has been responsible for deadly attacks across northern and northeastern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009, according to the US State Department.

In October 2025, President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would again be designated a ‘country of particular concern’ over alleged religious freedom violations. Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 under Trump but was removed in 2021 by former President Joe Biden.

The latest sanctions underscore Washington’s renewed focus on curbing extremism, financial crime, and cross-border security threats linked to Nigeria.