The United States government has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of having connections to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), leading to the freezing of any assets or property they hold under US jurisdiction.
The action was detailed in a document dated February 10 and released by the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The extensive publication, which runs into thousands of pages, updates the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (SDN) List and includes individuals and entities sanctioned for terrorism-related activities, cybercrime, and other security concerns.
The development follows recent calls by some US lawmakers for visa restrictions and asset freezes against certain Nigerian individuals and groups over alleged violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians. Among those reportedly recommended for sanctions by members of the US Congress were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
In its notice, OFAC explained that the SDN List serves as a public reference tool, informing financial institutions and the general public of individuals and organisations whose property and financial interests have been blocked under US sanctions programmes. The agency said the measures are aimed at restricting access to funds and preventing transactions that could support terrorism or other unlawful activities.
Among the Nigerians listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 alongside five others for establishing a Boko Haram fundraising network. The group was found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Also named in the sanctions list is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who appeared under multiple aliases and was designated under terrorism-related sanctions. Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born in Maiduguri between 1989 and 1994, was included under terrorism provisions.
Another individual, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a Boko Haram leader and sanctioned accordingly. Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri and known by several aliases, was also listed for alleged links to the group.
Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, and reported to reside in Abu Dhabi, was named in connection with Boko Haram activities. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Borno State, was identified as having ties to ISIL.
In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was designated under cyber-related sanctions.
Under the measures, all property and interests in property belonging to the listed individuals that fall within US jurisdiction are blocked. US citizens and entities are generally prohibited from engaging in financial transactions or business dealings with those designated.
Boko Haram was formally designated a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the United States in 2013. The US State Department has attributed numerous attacks across northern and northeastern Nigeria, as well as parts of Cameroon, Chad, and Niger, to the group, with thousands of fatalities recorded since 2009.
US terrorism designations are made under several legal frameworks, including provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act, the Arms Export Control Act, and the Foreign Assistance Act.
In October 2025, US President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would again be placed on the US State Department’s religious freedom watchlist, citing concerns over alleged persecution of Christians. Nigeria had previously been designated a “Country of Particular Concern” in 2020 during Trump’s first term but was later removed from the list by former President Joe Biden.
The latest sanctions underscore Washington’s continued focus on counterterrorism financing and cyber-related threats.
