The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on eight Nigerians over alleged ties to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and cybercrime activities, intensifying Washington’s counter-terrorism financing crackdown.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), were detailed in a February 10 publication of the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” (SDN List).
Under the sanctions regime, all assets and property belonging to the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are frozen, and American citizens and entities are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
Key Highlights of the US Sanctions
Eight Nigerians added to OFAC’s SDN list
Sanctions linked to Boko Haram, ISIL and cybercrime activities
Assets frozen under Executive Order 13224
US persons barred from financial dealings with listed individuals
Move follows US congressional recommendations on Nigeria
OFAC said the publication serves as a public compliance reference for financial institutions and businesses, providing notice of individuals and entities whose property and interests are blocked under US sanctions programmes.
Nigerians Named in the OFAC Sanctions List
Salih Yusuf Adamu
Also known as Salihu Yusuf, Adamu was identified as having links to Boko Haram. He was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The group attempted to transfer $782,000 from Dubai.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero
Listed under terrorism-related sanctions, Ademulero appeared under several aliases including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.
Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi
Also known as Ba Idrisa, he was flagged under terrorism sanctions and reportedly born in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Abu Musab Al-Barnawi
Identified as a Boko Haram leader, he was sanctioned under US counter-terrorism provisions.
Khaled (Khalid) Al-Barnawi
Born in 1976 in Maiduguri, he appeared multiple times in the OFAC document under various aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
Reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Alhassan was linked to Boko Haram and listed with a Nigerian passport.
Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki
Also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, he was identified as having ties to ISIL.
Nnamdi Orson Benson
Listed under CYBER2 sanctions, Benson was designated for alleged cybercrime-related activities.
Executive Order 13224 and Counter-Terrorism Financing
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, a key US counter-terrorism authority used to block assets of individuals and entities linked to terrorism.
The United States designated Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2013. According to the U.S. Department of State, the group has been responsible for thousands of deaths across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.
US Congress Recommendations and Religious Freedom Concerns
The sanctions come amid renewed scrutiny of Nigeria by US lawmakers. Members of Congress recently recommended visa bans and asset freezes against certain Nigerian individuals and groups over alleged religious freedom violations.
Among those mentioned in congressional recommendations were former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore.
In October 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the State Department’s religious freedom watchlist, describing it as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Nigeria had previously been designated in 2020 before being removed under former President Joe Biden.
What the Sanctions Mean
The latest US Treasury sanctions underscore Washington’s continued focus on:
Blocking terrorism financing networks
Disrupting Boko Haram and ISIL-linked operations
Tackling international cybercrime threats
Enforcing compliance with US sanctions laws
With assets frozen and financial restrictions in place, the affected individuals face severe limitations on international transactions involving the US financial system.
The move reinforces the US government’s broader strategy to combat global terrorism financing and strengthen financial security enforcement.
