The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having ties to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), following fresh sanctions issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

The action was announced in a sanctions document released over the weekend, running into more than 3,000 pages, which lists individuals designated under terrorism, cybercrime, and other national security–related offences.

According to OFAC, the publication serves as formal notice of persons added to its Specially Designated Nationals list, whose assets under U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, while prohibiting Americans and U.S.-based entities from conducting financial or business transactions with them.

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Among those named is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, who was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates for helping to establish a Boko Haram fundraising network. He was reportedly among six Nigerians found guilty in 2022 of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to insurgents in Nigeria.

Others listed include Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, identified under multiple aliases; Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa; Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, described as a Boko Haram leader; Khaled Al-Barnawi, linked to the group under various spellings and nicknames; Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, reportedly based in Abu Dhabi; Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Mainuki, sanctioned for alleged ISIL connections; and Nnamdi Orson Benson, who was designated under cybercrime provisions.

Under the sanctions, all property and financial interests belonging to the individuals within U.S. control are frozen, and any dealings with them are strictly prohibited.

OFAC said the measures are being enforced under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorism financing and support networks. Boko Haram has been listed as a foreign terrorist organisation by the U.S. since 2013 due to its involvement in deadly attacks across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin.

The move also follows recent calls within the U.S. Congress for tougher measures, including visa restrictions and asset freezes, against certain Nigerian political figures and groups over allegations of insecurity and human rights violations.

U.S. authorities said the sanctions are part of broader efforts to disrupt extremist financing channels and strengthen international counterterrorism enforcement.

Checks by our correspondent on Monday show that the list features over 20 Nigerians and organisations operating in the country.

The sanction means all property and interests of these individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are blocked under Executive Order 13224, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Nigerians Currently Sanctioned by the US
Khalid al‑Barnawi
Also known as: AL-BARNAWI, Khaled; BARNAWI, Khalid; EL-BARNAOUI, Khaled; HAFSAT, Abu; USMAN, Mohammed
Date of birth: 1976
Place of birth: Maiduguri, Nigeria
Offence/Program: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to Boko Haram/terrorism

Abubakar Shekau
Also known as: BIN MOHAMMED, Abu Mohammed Abubakar; BI MUHAMMED, Abu Muhammed Abubakar; SHEHU; SHAYKU; SHEKAU
Date of birth: 1969
Place of birth: Shekau Village, Yobe State, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — leader associated with Boko Haram

Abu Musab al‑Barnawi
Also known as: YUSUF, Habib
Date of birth: 1991 (multiple alternate DOBs listed by OFAC)
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — Boko Haram affiliate/leader

Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki
Also known as: AL-MINUKI, Abu-Bilal; MAINOK, Abor; MAINOK, Abubakar
Date of birth: 1982
Place of birth: Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to ISIL

Salihu Yusuf Adamu
Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf
Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Surajo Abubakar Muhammad
Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr
Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Abdurrahman Ado Musa
Also known as: MUSA, Abdurrahman Ado
Date of birth: 23 Apr 1984
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Bashir Ali Yusuf
Date of birth: 7 Aug 1984
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
Date of birth: 31 Jan 1981
Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi
Offence/Program: SDGT — linked to Boko Haram

Nnamdi Orson Benson
Date of birth: 21 Mar 1987
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Abiola Ayorinde Kayode
Date of birth: 14 Nov 1987
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin
Date of birth: 23 Feb 1983
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Felix Osilama Okpoh
Date of birth: 9 Mar 1989
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Micheal Olorunyomi
Date of birth: 12 May 1983
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh
Date of birth: 29 Apr 1986
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)

Ali Abbas Usman Jega
Also known as: JEGA, Ali Abbas Usman; HASSAN, Ali Abbas Othman; JEGA, Abbas
Date of birth: 1965
Address: Abuja, Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDGT

Abeni O. Ogungbuyi
Also known as: BABESTAN, Abeni O.; SHOFESO, Olatutu Temitope
Date of birth: 30 Jun 1952
Place of birth: Nigeria
Offence/Program: SDNTK

Organisations Currently Sanctioned by the US (Nigeria-Based)
Boko Haram
Also known as: JAMA’ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL-JIHAD; Nigerian Taliban
Offence/Program: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT — terrorism

Ansaru
Also known as: ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN; Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa
Offence/Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Amigo Supermarket Limited, Kafak Enterprises Limited, Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd
Program: SDGT — linked to individuals designated by OFAC

Organisations with alleged Nigerian affiliations:

Aurum Ship Management FZC
Program: SDGT — linked to designated individuals

ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA)
Program: FTO and SDGT — terrorism

Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L.
Program: SDGT — linked to Hizballah

According to OFAC, the list serves as a reference tool, providing notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests are blocked as part of its counter-terrorism efforts.

“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.

The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list underscores Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.

The pronouncement comes on the heels of recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes.

In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would be added to the Department of State’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom, alleging persecution of Christians by Muslims. Nigeria was first designated in 2020 under Trump but was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after assuming office.

LUKMAN ABDULMALIK
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