FULL LIST: US freezes assets Of 8 Nigerians over alleged terror, cybercrime links

The United States government 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).

The action was disclosed 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 document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” outlines individuals and entities sanctioned over terrorism financing, cybercrime, and other security-related offences. OFAC said the publication serves as official notice of individuals whose assets and interests in property under US jurisdiction have been blocked under various sanctions programmes.

According to the agency, US persons are generally prohibited from conducting financial or business transactions with those listed.

Names Of Nigerians Sanctioned

Among those named is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and reportedly holds a Nigerian passport.

Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram funding cell that attempted to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.

Also listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who appeared under multiple aliases including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa and reportedly born in Maiduguri, Borno State, was sanctioned over terrorism-related activities.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also known as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a senior Boko Haram leader and placed under terrorism sanctions.

Khaled (Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri and known by aliases such as Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman, was also linked to Boko Haram activities.

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, and said to reside in Abu Dhabi, was similarly listed for alleged ties to the group.

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 connections to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Additionally, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged cybercrime-related offences.

Legal Framework

The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, a US counter-terrorism financing measure that allows authorities to freeze assets and restrict financial dealings of individuals accused of supporting terrorism.

The move follows recent calls by US lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes on persons accused of religious freedom violations and security threats in Nigeria.

The United States designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2013, citing its involvement in deadly attacks across Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.