The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), escalating Washington’s counter-terrorism and financial sanctions measures.
The action was detailed in a February 10 publication by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), an arm of the United States Department of the Treasury.
The 3,000-page document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” was sighted on Monday.
The updated sanctions list also named individuals implicated in cybercrime and other security-related offences, reinforcing US efforts to disrupt terrorism financing and transnational threats.
The development follows recent recommendations by members of the US Congress calling for visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of religious persecution and violations of religious freedom in Nigeria.
Among those reportedly recommended were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
According to OFAC, the publication serves as formal notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs), whose property and interests are blocked under US sanctions programmes.
“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 (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.
Nigerians Listed
Among those designated is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. OFAC linked him to Boko Haram.
He was previously among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for establishing a Boko Haram cell and attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, was sanctioned under terrorism provisions and listed under aliases including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.
Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions.
Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, with reported birth years between 1990 and 1995, was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under counter-terrorism measures.
Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, appeared twice on the list and was cited under multiple aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, and reportedly resident in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 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 identified as having ties to ISIL.
Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions related to cybercrime offences.
Under US law, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
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