The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerian nationals accused of connections with extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), in a major escalation of its global counter-terrorism sanctions.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Treasury Department published the names of the sanctioned individuals in a 3,000-page document issued around Feb. 10, designating them as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) whose properties within U.S. jurisdiction are now blocked. The action also bars all U.S. persons and entities from engaging in any transactions with them.
Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, identified as a key figure in fundraising for Boko Haram, and previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for attempting to transfer nearly $782,000 to the insurgent group, according to the list.
The list also names Abu Musab Al-Barnawi and Khaled Al-Barnawi, both associated with Boko Haram leadership, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Mainuki, linked to ISIL. Additionally, Nnamdi Orson Benson was designated under provisions related to cybercrime and other security threats.
In a statement attached to the publication, OFAC described the list as an official notice of action against individuals whose property is now blocked to assist compliance with U.S. sanctions programmes. “This publication … is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals,” the agency said.
