Names of those sponsoring terrorism in Nigeria released [SEE FULL LIST]

A far-reaching SaharaReporters investigation has exposed a sprawling web of 23 individuals—20 Nigerians and three foreign nationals—suspected of bankrolling terrorism through a maze of shadowy transactions, covert networks, and international money transfers linked to Boko Haram.

The network, with tentacles stretching from Kano to Dubai, South Africa, Rwanda, and Niger, mirrors operations described in multiple UAE court judgments and Nigerian security reports. Many of the Nigerian suspects were arrested in 2021 but mysteriously released, raising fresh concerns about high-level interference.

A Network Hiding in Plain Sight

The investigation reveals the suspects’ extensive financial footprints: hundreds of bank accounts, billions moved through cash deposits, withdrawals, and cross-border remittances—often in sync with convicted Boko Haram financiers and logistics operators.

Several suspects are linked to weapons procurement chains, bureau de change operators, and commodity firms identified by foreign courts as terror finance conduits.

THE NIGERIAN SUSPECTS
1. Alhaji Saidu Ahmed

A 63-year-old Zaria-based businessman widely regarded as a core financier of Boko Haram.
His accounts recorded ₦4.8 billion in inflows, with direct ties to convicts Surajo Abubakar, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Bashir Ali Yusuf—names that consistently appear in UAE terrorism trials.

2. Usaini Adamu

Known as Baba Hussaini, the Kano businessman operates 111 BVN-linked accounts across nine banks, with inflows surpassing ₦43 billion and outflows of ₦50 billion.
He allegedly guaranteed accounts used by convicts for arms and logistics operations.

3. Muhammad Sani Adam

A forex and precious stones dealer operating in Kano and Yola, Sani controls 41 accounts across 14 banks.
Between them, inflows hit ₦54.1 billion, mostly linked to convicted terror financiers.

4. Abubakar Adamu Yellow (Yellow Amfani)

With 42 accounts in 13 banks, Yellow moved ₦61.4 billion in inflows and ₦51.7 billion in outflows.
He sent tens of millions to known Boko Haram convicts between 2014 and 2019.

5. Murtala Abdullahi Jega

A BDC operator with 94 bank accounts, Jega received funds from convict Bashir Ali Yusuf.
He completed transfers to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities—identified internationally as a procurement channel for terrorist weapons.

6. Sadiq Garba Abubakar

Operating between Kano and Abuja, Sadiq handled 30 accounts.
He transferred over ₦1.65 billion to convict Surajo Abubakar and large sums to others in the network.

7. Hussaini Adamu

The 1974-born Kano businessman transferred billions among network members, acting as a key link between multiple convicts.

8. Mustapha Ibrahim Yakubu

His 39 accounts processed billions, including ₦2 billion to Bahafs Global and ₦345 million to Murtala Jega—tying him directly to weapons procurement routes.

9. Ali Abdullahi Yusuf

Brother to two convicted financiers, Yusuf managed 43 accounts across 11 banks, exchanging funds with at least 40 known associates of convicted Boko Haram facilitators.

10. Nasiru Shuaibu

Operating between Gusau and Minna, Nasiru’s accounts recorded multi-billion-naira inflows, including ₦5.4 billion from suspect Muhammad Sani.

11. Yusuf Ghazali

A forex trader controlling a staggering 385 accounts across 10 banks—one of the largest footprints in the network.
He was also named in UAE court rulings for moving funds between Dubai and Nigeria for Boko Haram.

ADDITIONAL FINANCIERS
12. Mansur Muhammad Usman

Identified repeatedly in UAE terrorism judgments, Mansur maintained 18 accounts and handled millions in transfers as a money courier for Boko Haram.

13. Yazid Usman Muhammad

Received funds from Mansur and appeared in UAE court documents as a transfer agent within the terror pipeline.

14. Alhaji Musa Emma

Based in Maiduguri, Musa withdrew over ₦2.4 billion in cash and received heavy inflows from convicts’ networks.

15. Modu Sulum

Though linked to only one BVN account, Modu’s transactions connect him to major Maiduguri-based suspects.

16. Adamu Aliyu Kanoma

The Zamfara jeweller controls 83 accounts and withdrew over ₦10 billion in cash between 2016 and 2020.

17. Habibu Muhammad Usama

With 39 accounts, Habibu withdrew over ₦7 billion and transferred funds to major financiers including Alhaji Saidu.

18. Nurudeen Gani Aliyu (Alhaji Nura)

A Sokoto-based BDC operator with 218 accounts, Nurudeen facilitated massive transfers, including to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities, a firm tied to Boko Haram procurement.

19. Ladan Ibrahim

A public servant and chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency, Ladan managed 47 accounts and moved government-linked funds to terror financiers including Nurudeen Gani.

20. Sadiq Garba Abubakar (Re-emphasized)

His role places him among the central financiers coordinating multi-billion-naira movements among convicts.

THE INTERNATIONAL SUSPECTS
1. Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa (Late)

The Rwandan businessman and tobacco magnate, who died in 2024, held 70 accounts with ₦67 billion in inflows.
Funds flowed between him, Alhaji Nura Gani, and offshore accounts in South Africa tied to Boko Haram affiliates.

2. Paul Nkwaya

Son of the late Ayabatwa and co-owner of Leaf Tobacco & Commodities.
Paul shared access to the same 70 accounts and processed transfers linked to terror convicts.

3. Aboubacar Hima (Petit)

A notorious Nigerien arms dealer operating from Abuja.
His 35 accounts facilitated over $1.19 million in UAE-to-Nigeria transfers for associates of convicts.
He is also under investigation for multi-currency laundering schemes.