United States Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Alleged Terror, Cybercrime Links

The United States government has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of having links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), resulting in the freezing of their assets and properties under US jurisdiction.

The sanctions were published in a 3,000-page document released by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The document, known as the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), contains the names of individuals and entities subject to US sanctions.

According to the report, some of the individuals were designated for terrorism-related activities, while others were cited for alleged involvement in cybercrime and related security threats.

The action follows recommendations by the US Congress calling for visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom and persecuting Christians in Nigeria.

Former US President Donald Trump had earlier designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom issues.

Under Executive Order 13224, those listed face asset freezes and financial restrictions, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having links 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 group was found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.

Also listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who was sanctioned under terrorism-related provisions. He was identified under multiple aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

Another individual named is Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was designated for terrorism-related activities.

Similarly, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf and identified as a Boko Haram leader, was listed with varying reported birth years between 1990 and 1995.

In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was designated under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged cybercrime-related offences. He was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.

With these sanctions, any assets belonging to the named individuals within US jurisdiction have been blocked, and US citizens and entities are prohibited from conducting financial or business transactions with them.