The United States government has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to extremist groups Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as part of a broader sanctions action targeting terrorism financing and cybercrime.
The designations were detailed in a document released on 10 February by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
The publication forms part of the agency’s Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, a reference tool identifying individuals and entities whose assets are blocked under United States sanctions programmes.
The action comes amid wider pressure from some US lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes against certain Nigerian political and civic figures accused of alleged religious persecution and links to extremist activities.
Those mentioned in the recommendations include former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
However, inclusion in the congressional recommendations does not automatically amount to formal sanctions under US law. OFAC listings are based on separate executive and regulatory processes.
OFAC said the publication serves as official notice to financial institutions and the public regarding individuals whose assets have been blocked under US jurisdiction.
“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 listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on 23 August 1990. OFAC identified him as having ties to Boko Haram. He was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for establishing a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The group attempted to transfer 782,000 dollars from Dubai to Nigeria.
Also designated was Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born 4 March 1953, who was listed under terrorism-related sanctions and identified by multiple aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.
Other individuals sanctioned for alleged links to Boko Haram or ISIL include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (also known as Ba Idrisa), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf), Khaled Al-Barnawi, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki. Several of those listed were reportedly born in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State, the epicentre of insurgent violence in north-east Nigeria.
In a separate action, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born 21 March 1987, was listed under cyber-related sanctions and identified as holding a Nigerian passport.
Under US sanctions law, all property and financial interests of the designated persons within US jurisdiction are blocked. American individuals and companies are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
The measures are largely enforced under counter-terrorism executive orders, including Executive Order 13224.
The United States formally designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013. According to the US Department of State, the group has carried out numerous deadly attacks across northern and north-eastern Nigeria and the wider Lake Chad Basin since 2009, leading to thousands of deaths and mass displacement.
The sanctions come amid renewed debate in Washington over Nigeria’s record on religious freedom. In October 2025, US President Donald Trump again added Nigeria to the State Department’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern” over alleged violations of religious freedom.
Nigeria had previously been placed on the list in 2020 but was removed in 2021 by former President Joe Biden shortly after he assumed office.
Nigerian authorities have repeatedly denied allegations of religious persecution, insisting that ongoing violence in parts of the country is driven largely by insurgency, banditry and communal conflicts rather than state policy.
- FG Charges El-Rufai With Unlawful Interception of NSA’s Calls - February 16, 2026
- US Freezes Assets of 8 Nigerians Over Alleged Boko Haram, ISIL Links - February 16, 2026
- 2027 Polls: INEC Schedules Presidential Election for Feb 20, Governorship for March 6 - February 13, 2026