US Moves Against ISIS Financing Network Linked To Nigeria, Europe , Middle East

US Moves Against ISIS Financing Network Linked To Nigeria, Europe , Middle East

The United States government has designated a Nigerian national alongside other individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa over their alleged roles in facilitating financial transactions linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The designation, announced by the U.S. Department of State in a statement issued on Tuesday, targets three individuals and six entities accused of helping ISIS move funds across international borders and sustain its operations.

U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said the action is part of Washington’s ongoing efforts to disrupt the terrorist group’s global financial network.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world. We are cutting off the financial lifelines from around the world that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities,” the statement said.

According to the State Department, those sanctioned are based in France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria, and were allegedly involved in a transnational network that facilitated the movement of funds for ISIS activities.

“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders—exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.

“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.

The latest sanctions come amid broader global efforts to disrupt terrorism financing networks, including ongoing measures within Nigeria.

LEADERSHIP reports that in April, the federal government released a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria through the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC).

The sanctions list named persons and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including alleged links to proscribed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansarul Sudan and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Among those listed was Finland-based Nigerian separatist figure Simon Ekpa, who is linked to a faction of IPOB. Ekpa was sentenced by a Finnish court on September 1, 2025, to six years imprisonment for terrorism-related offences, including incitement and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.

Also included on the list was Kaduna-based journalist and publisher Tukur Mamu, who is currently facing trial in Nigeria on allegations of terrorism financing. Mamu, who was arrested in 2022, is facing multiple charges filed by the Federal Government over alleged logistical and financial support for terrorist groups. He has denied the allegations.

Other individuals named by the government include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman, Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu and Rabiu Suleiman.

The list also contained the names of Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogumu Kewe.

Entities included in the sanctions register were Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group and Yan Group NLBDG.

The sanctions underscore ongoing international and domestic efforts to track and disrupt financing channels linked to terrorist organisations operating across multiple regions.