US Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Terror, Cybercrime Links
The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The sanctions also targeted individuals involved in cybercrime and other security threats.
The action was contained in a 3,000-page document released by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on February 10. The OFAC list, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” details individuals and entities whose assets have been blocked to prevent financial dealings with them.
The sanctions follow recommendations by the U.S. Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom in Nigeria. Former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal were among those recommended for such measures.
The Nigerians sanctioned include Salih Yusuf Adamu (Salihu Yusuf), Babestan Oluwole Ademulero (also known as Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso), Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (Ba Idrisa), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf), Khaled Al-Barnawi (Abu Hafsat/Mohammed Usman), Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki (Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki), and Nnamdi Orson Benson.
Salih Yusuf Adamu was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the UAE to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria, attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai. Several others were flagged under terrorism-related sanctions for alleged ties to Boko Haram or ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson was listed under cybercrime sanctions.
Under the measures, all property and interests of these individuals within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The sanctions fall under Executive Order 13224.
Boko Haram was officially designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the U.S. in 2013 and is responsible for numerous attacks across Nigeria and neighboring countries, killing thousands since 2009.
The U.S. Secretary of State also monitors countries that support acts of international terrorism. Nigeria was placed on the “Countries of Particular Concern” list in 2020, removed by former President Joe Biden, and re-added in October 2025 under President Donald Trump, citing persecution of Christians.
The sanctions reflect continued U.S. efforts to curb terrorism financing, cybercrime, and threats to security in Nigeria and the wider region.