THE United States government has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and cybercrime-related offences, freezing their assets and blocking financial dealings within US jurisdiction.
News Point Nigeria reports that the sanctions were detailed in a 3,000-page document dated February 10 and released by the United States Department of the Treasury through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The publication, titled the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” identifies individuals and entities whose property and interests in property are blocked as part of US counter-terrorism and national security measures.
According to OFAC, the sanctions form part of broader efforts to disrupt terrorism financing networks and prevent financial transactions involving designated persons.
The agency stated that the list serves as a reference tool providing public notice of individuals whose assets are blocked and with whom US persons are generally prohibited from conducting business.
The sanctions were implemented under counter-terrorism authorities, including Executive Order 13224, which targets individuals and entities involved in terrorism.
Among those designated is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was previously among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents.
The group was accused of attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Also listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who appeared under multiple aliases and was designated under terrorism-related sanctions.
Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born in Maiduguri, Borno State, was flagged under terrorism provisions.
Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned accordingly.
Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, and reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, was also designated for alleged links 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 identified as having ties to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).
In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under cybercrime-related sanctions (CYBER2), reflecting Washington’s focus on combating transnational cyber threats.
The sanctions come amid heightened scrutiny by US lawmakers over security and religious freedom concerns in Nigeria.
Recently, members of the US Congress recommended visa bans and asset freezes on certain Nigerian individuals and groups over alleged religious freedom violations.
The US had officially designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organization in 2013, citing its involvement in deadly attacks across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region since 2009.
Under US law, individuals placed on the Specially Designated Nationals list have all property and interests in property within US jurisdiction blocked, and American citizens and entities are generally barred from engaging in financial transactions with them.
The inclusion of the eight Nigerians underscores US’ continued emphasis on disrupting terrorist financing networks and countering cybercrime.
FG is yet to issue an official response to the latest designations.