Foreign

United States Department of the Treasury Sanctions Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, Cybercrime Links

The United States has sanctioned eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram, ISIL, and cybercrime, freezing their assets under counterterrorism measures.

By japhet samuel

3 min read 11 views Updated Aug 26, 2026

The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to the extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The action was detailed in a 3,000-page report dated February 10, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and reviewed on Monday.

The document also listed individuals sanctioned for cybercrime and other security-related offences.
The development follows recent recommendations by members of the US Congress calling for visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals and organisations accused of religious freedom violations and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

Among those recommended for sanctions were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal.

The OFAC publication, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” also includes individuals and entities from various countries whose assets have been restricted, serving as an official sanctions reference.
There. Same gravity, clearer spine.
It also provided notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests were blocked as part of counter-terrorism efforts.

According to OFAC, the move forms part of its broader efforts to block the property and interests of Specially Designated Nationals and prevent financial dealings with them.

“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control 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 listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. Yusuf was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.

Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The six men were convicted in the UAE for attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.

Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, was designated under SDNTK sanctions. He appeared under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

Also designated was Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa. He was reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State, and was flagged under terrorism-related sanctions.

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

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Summary

The United States has sanctioned eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram, ISIL, and cybercrime, freezing their assets under counterterrorism measures. The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to the extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.The action was detailed in a 3,000-page report...

Key takeaways
  • The United States has sanctioned eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram, ISIL, and cybercrime, freezing their assets under counterterrorism measures.
  • The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to the extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.The action was detailed in a 3,000-page report dated February 10, issued by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and reviewed on Monday.The document also listed individuals sanctioned for cybercrime and other security-related offences.The development follows recent recommendations by members of the US Congress calling for visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals and organisations accused of religious freedom violations and persecution of Christians in Nigeria.Among those recommended for sanctions were former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal.The OFAC publication, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” also includes individuals and entities from various countries whose assets have been restricted, serving as an official sanctions reference.There.
  • Same gravity, clearer spine.It also provided notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests were blocked as part of counter-terrorism efforts.According to OFAC, the move forms part of its broader efforts to block the property and interests of Specially Designated Nationals and prevent financial dealings with them.“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control 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 listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria.
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The United States has sanctioned eight Nigerians over alleged links to Boko Haram, ISIL, and cybercrime, freezing their assets under counterterrorism measures. The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians allegedly linked to the extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.The action was detailed in a 3,000-page report...

Who published this story?

Glow 99.1 FM published this story with japhet samuel listed as author.

When was it published?

February 16, 2026

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