US Freezes Assets Of 8 Nigerians Over Alleged Boko Haram, Cybercrime Links

The United States government has sanctioned eight Nigerians over alleged links to terrorism financing and cybercrime, blocking all their assets and financial dealings within US jurisdiction.

The action was announced in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, and released by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a unit of the US Treasury Department.

The publication, titled Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, identified individuals connected to the extremist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as cybercrime suspects.

The sanctions follow recent recommendations by the United States Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons accused of religious persecution in Nigeria.

Those earlier recommended included former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria alongside Miyetti Allah Kautal.

OFAC explained that the list serves as public notice of blocked persons and entities under counter-terrorism 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… whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.

Among those designated is Salih Yusuf Adamu (also Salihu Yusuf), reportedly convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for attempting to channel $782,000 to insurgents.

Others listed include: Babestan Oluwole Ademulero — sanctioned under terrorism-related provisions

Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi — terrorism designation

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi — identified Boko Haram leader

Khaled (Khalid) Al-Barnawi — linked to insurgency networks

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan — resident in Abu Dhabi with alleged links to insurgents

Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki — linked to ISIL

Nnamdi Orson Benson — designated under cybercrime sanctions

Under Executive Order 13224, all property belonging to them in US jurisdiction is frozen and Americans are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.

Washington designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013, blaming the group for attacks across the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.

In October 2025, US President Donald Trump announced Nigeria would again be placed on a religious freedom watchlist, alleging persecution of Christians.

Nigeria had previously been removed from the “Countries of Particular Concern” list by former US President Joe Biden after his inauguration.

The sanctions highlighted Washington’s continued focus on disrupting terrorism financing networks and combating transnational cyber threats linked to West Africa.