US Sanctions, Freezes Asset Of 11 Nigerians, Companies Linked To Boko Haram, Iranian Extremists

The United States (US) sanctions and froze the assets and properties of Eleven Nigerians and Nigeria-based Companies over alleged links to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

In a document dated February 10 and published on the official website of the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and cited by TVC News on Monday, the document also identified individuals sanctioned for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats.

The United States lawmakers had proposed targeted measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, against individuals and groups linked to the alleged involvement in religious freedom violations and extremism in Nigeria.

In an announcement via X on Tuesday, February 10, by US Congressmen, Rep. Riley Moore (R‑West Virginia), the proposal is contained in the Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act of 2026, co-sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith (R‑New Jersey).

According to the proposed act, the bill specifically names the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, as well as Fulani-ethnic nomad militias and associations such as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.

The lawmakers also proposed a bill to counteract Chinese mining operations in Nigeria as part of targeted measures to tackle religious freedom violations and extremism by terrorist groups.

Following a United States legislative move to sanction China’s mining interests in Nigeria, the Chinese embassy has struck back, describing the allegations as “groundless accusations of engaging in illegal mining operations in Nigeria and paying protection money to specific militia groups.”

The OFAC document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” listed Nigerian individuals, Nigerian-based business entities, foreign individuals and entities linked to various islamic sect, and transnational terrorism.

It also provided notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests were blocked as part of counter-terrorism efforts.

According to OFAC, the move forms part of its broader efforts to block the property and interests of Specially Designated Nationals and prevent financial dealings with them.

“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.

Individuals listed

Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.

Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The six men were convicted in the UAE for attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.

Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, was designated under SDNTK sanctions. He appeared under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

Also designated was Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa. He was reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was listed with varying birth years between 1990 and 1995. He was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under terrorism provisions.

Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, whose name appeared twice in the publication, was born in 1976 in Maiduguri, Nigeria. He was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman.

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, in Nigeria, was listed with a Nigerian passport. He was reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was linked to Boko Haram.

Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, was born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State. He was identified as having ties to ISIL.

Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, in Nigeria, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.

Companies listed

Amigo Supermarket Limited, located at 1023, Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent in Wuse II, Abuja, was sanctioned under the SDGT list, linked to Fawaz, Mustapha Reda Darwish, and also identified as Fouzi Reda Darwish.

Aurum Ship Management FZC is sanctioned under the SDGT list, with links to Mahamud, known as Abdi Nasir Ali.

Regarding Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L., located at 15A Burma Road in the Apapa area of Lagos State, the agency stated that all its branches worldwide have links to the Hizballah terrorist group. Consequently, the institution has been designated under the SDGT list.

Kafak Enterprises Limited, located at 88B, Tafawa Balewa Road in Kano State, was sanctioned under the SDGT list over links to Fawaz, Mustapha Reda Darwish, and Fouzi Reda Darwish.

Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort LTD, located at B1 Kukbawa, opposite the National Stadium in Abuja, was sanctioned under the SDGT list linked to Fawaz, Mustapha Reda Darwish, and Fouzi Reda Darwish.

The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list highlights Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.

The sanctions mean that all property and interests of these individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Nigerians listed under the US Treasury sanctions face asset freezes under Executive Order 13224.