The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of supporting Boko Haram, ISIL, and engaging in cybercrime activities, according to a statement from the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The sanctions were detailed in a 3,000-page document known as the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), which identifies individuals and entities subject to asset freezes and financial restrictions under US jurisdiction. Those listed are generally barred from conducting transactions with US persons and face strict financial restrictions on any assets within US control.
Some of the individuals were designated for terrorism-related activities, while others were cited for alleged involvement in cybercrime and activities posing security threats. The move follows earlier US congressional recommendations for visa bans and asset freezes targeting individuals accused of violating religious freedoms and persecuting Christians in Nigeria, a country previously designated as a Country of Particular Concern by Donald Trump over religious freedom concerns.
Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu (also known as Salihu Yusuf), born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having links to Boko Haram and was one of six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The group attempted to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Other designated individuals include:
•Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, identified under multiple aliases and linked to terrorism-related activities.
•Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, flagged under terrorism sanctions.
•Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also called Habib Yusuf, a Boko Haram leader with birth years reported between 1990 and 1995.
•Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, designated under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged cybercrime activities and reported to hold a Nigerian passport.
The US sanctions are issued under Executive Order 13224, which targets individuals and entities providing support to terrorists or involved in cybercrime.
These measures mark a continued effort by the US to disrupt financial networks supporting Boko Haram and ISIL, while targeting cybercriminals whose activities are believed to pose risks to national and international security.
The sanctions not only block access to any US-held assets but also serve as a warning that transactions with the designated individuals are prohibited for US citizens, institutions, and businesses, aiming to limit their operational and financial reach globally.
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Source: Africa Publicity
