United States freezes assets of eight Nigerians over Boko Haram, ISIL links
By: Zagazola Makama
The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to the Islamist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), according to a statement by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The move, detailed in a document exceeding 3,000 pages released over the weekend, also included individuals sanctioned for cybercrime and other security threats.
OFAC said the publication provides “actual notice of actions… regarding Specially Designated Nationals and other persons whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the sanctions programmes.”
Among the Nigerians listed are: Salih Yusuf Adamu (aka Salihu Yusuf), born August 23, 1990, linked to Boko Haram and previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates for helping establish a fundraising cell. In 2022, he was among six Nigerians found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to insurgents in Nigeria.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, appearing under multiple aliases. Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al‑Barnawi (aka Ba Idrisa), designated under terrorism sanctions. Abu Musab Al‑Barnawi(aka Habib Yusuf), identified as a Boko Haram leader.
Khaled Al‑Barnawi, linked to Boko Haram, listed under different spellings with aliases including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman. Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, reportedly residing in Abu Dhabi and connected to Boko Haram. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al‑Mainuki (aka Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki), designated for ISIL ties. Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, sanctioned under cybercrime provisions.
The sanctions block all property and interests of the designated Nigerians within U.S. jurisdiction, and U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
The action follows recent recommendations by the U.S. Congress for visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and certain Miyetti Allah groups over alleged atrocities described as “Christian genocide” in Nigeria.
OFAC said the designations are enforced under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorism financing networks. Boko Haram was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the U.S. in 2013, after being linked to thousands of deaths across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.
The sanctions framework is guided by U.S. laws, including the National Defense Authorization Act (2019), the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.
