US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL Links – OFAC Sanctions List Released
The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), PulseNets learnt.
Details were contained in an extensive document exceeding 3,000 pages released by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The publication, PulseNets obtained, also named individuals sanctioned over cybercrime-related offences and other national security concerns.
The latest action follows recommendations by the US Congress advocating visa bans and asset freezes against Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano State, alongside certain Miyetti Allah groups over alleged violence in Nigeria.
According to OFAC, the publication functions as a compliance guide notifying the public of measures taken against Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) whose property and financial interests have been blocked.
“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.
Among those designated is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. PulseNets learnt that Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was among six Nigerians convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for establishing a Boko Haram cell aimed at raising funds for insurgents in Nigeria.
The six individuals were found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria, according to court findings reviewed by PulseNets.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, was also designated under terrorism sanctions and listed under multiple aliases.
Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions. PulseNets learnt he was reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State.
Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned under terrorism provisions, according to documents PulseNets reviewed.
Khaled, also spelt Khalid, Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, was linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, PulseNets reported.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, in Nigeria and reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, was also linked to Boko Haram, documents showed.
Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State, was identified as having ties to ISIL.
Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, in Nigeria, was designated under cyber-related sanctions, PulseNets learnt.
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The sanctions mean that all property and interests belonging to the named individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked. US persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions or dealings with them.
PulseNets reported that the asset freeze was implemented under Executive Order 13224, a counterterrorism measure targeting individuals and entities associated with terrorism financing and extremist networks.
