Washington freezes assets, blocks property as Trump administration ramps up pressure on designated entities
By Palang Paul
The United States Treasury has imposed sweeping financial sanctions on more than 20 Nigerian nationals and several organisations linked to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and cybercrime networks—marking one of the most extensive multilateral actions against Nigeria-based threats in recent years.
The designations, contained in a 3,000-page document updated February 10 by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freeze all assets and property interests within American jurisdiction and prohibit US persons from engaging in any transactions with those named.
The sanctions come barely a week after US lawmakers recommended visa bans and asset freezes on former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association over alleged religious freedom violations—though those recommendations remain under review.
Terror Leaders, Financiers on Blacklist
Among those sanctioned are notorious Boko Haram figures, including Abubakar Shekau, the late extremist leader who commanded the insurgency for over a decade before his reported death in 2021. Despite his demise, Shekau remains on OFAC’s Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) list, ensuring any assets linked to him remain frozen.
Also designated is Khalid al-Barnawi, 50, from Maiduguri, identified under multiple aliases including Mohammed Usman and Abu Hafsat. He is believed to have played significant operational roles in the Islamist insurgency that has claimed tens of thousands of lives since 2009.
Abu Musab al-Barnawi (also known as Habib Yusuf), born between 1990 and 1995 in Nigeria, was listed as a Boko Haram affiliate and leader. Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, 44, from Mainok in Borno State, was specifically linked to ISIL operations.
The UAE Connection: Boko Haram’s Gulf Financing Network
Several of those sanctioned were part of a six-man Boko Haram cell convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for attempting to funnel $782,000 from Dubai to insurgents in Nigeria.
Salihu Yusuf Adamu, 35 (also known as Salih Yusuf Adamu), currently residing in Abu Dhabi, was identified as having established operations in the UAE specifically to raise funds for terror activities in the Lake Chad region.
Others in this network include Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, 46; Abdurrahman Ado Musa, 41; Bashir Ali Yusuf, 41; and Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, 45—all Nigerian passport holders with ties to Boko Haram’s external financing operations.
Cybercrime Sanctions: Nigeria’s Digital Underground Targeted
In a separate category, OFAC slapped cybercrime-related sanctions on six Nigerians under the CYBER2 programme, signalling Washington’s growing concern over the country’s transnational digital fraud networks.
Those designated include Nnamdi Orson Benson, 38; Abiola Ayorinde Kayode, 38; Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, 42; Felix Osilama Okpoh, 36; Micheal Olorunyomi, 42; and Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh, 39.
The cyber designations mean all US-based assets belonging to these individuals are frozen, and international financial institutions dealing with them risk losing access to the American banking system.
Organisations Blacklisted
Beyond individuals, the US also sanctioned several Nigeria-based organisations:
Boko Haram (also known as Jama’atu Ahlis-Sunnah Lidda’awati Wal-Jihad) was reaffirmed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT entity—a designation first made in 2013.
Ansaru (also known as Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladis Sudan or “Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa”) was similarly blacklisted for its role in the insurgency.
In a significant expansion, OFAC also designated three Nigerian commercial entities: Amigo Supermarket Limited, Kafak Enterprises Limited, and Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd—all linked to sanctioned individuals.
Other entities with alleged Nigerian affiliations include Aurum Ship Management FZC, ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA) , and Lebanon-based Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L. , which was designated for ties to Hizballah.
Political Heavyweight Named
Among the more surprising entries is Ali Abbas Usman Jega, 61, from Abuja, listed under multiple aliases including Ali Abbas Othman Hassan. His designation under SDGT sanctions has raised eyebrows given his profile as a political figure and son of former Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega.
Also listed is Abeni O. Ogungbuyi, 73 (also known as Abeni O. Babestan and Olatutu Temitope Shofeso), designated under SDNTK sanctions—typically reserved for narcotics traffickers, though her exact offence remains unclear.
What the Sanctions Mean
Under Executive Order 13224, all property and interests of the named individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are now blocked. American citizens and companies are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them, and international financial institutions that do business with the sanctioned parties risk being cut off from the US financial system.
“These actions are part of a broader strategy to disrupt the financial lifelines of terrorist organisations and cybercriminals operating across borders,” a Treasury official said.
The OFAC list serves as “a reference tool providing actual notice of actions… to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes,” the agency explained.
Political Backdrop: Religious Freedom Controversy
The sanctions arrive amid heightened tensions between Washington and Abuja over religious freedom concerns. In October 2025, President Donald Trump announced the redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”—a status first conferred in 2020 but rescinded by the Biden administration.
Trump’s post on X (formerly Twitter) at the time cited “killings of Christians by Muslims”
The recent Congressional recommendations for sanctions against Kwankwaso and Miyetti Allah—though not yet implemented—reflect growing bipartisan concern in Washington over religious freedom issues in Nigeria.
Boko Haram’s Enduring Threat
The United States designated Boko Haram a Foreign Terrorist Organisation in 2013, acknowledging the group’s transformation from a local Islamist sect into a transnational threat with links to ISIL’s West Africa Province. The group has been responsible for scores of attacks across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin, including the 2014 Chibok schoolgirl kidnapping that drew global outrage.
Monday’s announcement highlights the persistence of Boko Haram’s external financing networks, particularly in the Middle East. The 2022 UAE convictions exposed how insurgents had established sophisticated money-laundering operations in Dubai, exploiting the emirate’s status as a global financial hub.
Full List: Nigerians Currently Sanctioned by the US
SECTION A: TERRORISM-RELATED DESIGNATIONS (SDGT)
- Khalid al‑Barnawi
· Also known as: AL-BARNAWI, Khaled; BARNAWI, Khalid; EL-BARNAOUI, Khaled; HAFSAT, Abu; USMAN, Mohammed
· Date of birth: 1976
· Place of birth: Maiduguri, Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — Boko Haram leader
- Abubakar Shekau
· Also known as: BIN MOHAMMED, Abu Mohammed Abubakar; BI MUHAMMED, Abu Muhammed Abubakar; SHEHU; SHAYKU; SHEKAU
· Date of birth: 1969
· Place of birth: Shekau Village, Yobe State, Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — former Boko Haram leader (deceased)
- Abu Musab al‑Barnawi
· Also known as: YUSUF, Habib
· Date of birth: 1991 (multiple alternate years listed)
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — Boko Haram affiliate/leader
- Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki
· Also known as: AL-MINUKI, Abu-Bilal; MAINOK, Abor; MAINOK, Abubakar
· Date of birth: 1982
· Place of birth: Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to ISIL
- Salihu Yusuf Adamu
· Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf
· Date of birth: 23 August 1990
· Place of birth: Nigeria (currently resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE)
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to Boko Haram (UAE terror finance cell)
- Surajo Abubakar Muhammad
· Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr
· Date of birth: 3 July 1979
· Place of birth: Nigeria (currently resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE)
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to Boko Haram (UAE terror finance cell)
- Abdurrahman Ado Musa
· Also known as: MUSA, Abdurrahman Ado
· Date of birth: 23 April 1984
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to Boko Haram (UAE terror finance cell)
- Bashir Ali Yusuf
· Also known as: None listed
· Date of birth: 7 August 1984
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to Boko Haram (UAE terror finance cell)
- Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
· Also known as: None listed
· Date of birth: 31 January 1981
· Place of birth: Nigeria (currently resides in Abu Dhabi, UAE)
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — linked to Boko Haram (UAE terror finance cell)
- Ali Abbas Usman Jega
· Also known as: JEGA, Ali Abbas Usman; HASSAN, Ali Abbas Othman; JEGA, Abbas
· Date of birth: 1965
· Address: Abuja, Nigeria
· Offence: Specially Designated Global Terrorist — political figure, son of former INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega
SECTION B: CYBERCRIME DESIGNATIONS (CYBER2)
- Nnamdi Orson Benson
· Date of birth: 21 March 1987
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
- Abiola Ayorinde Kayode
· Date of birth: 14 November 1987
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
- Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin
· Date of birth: 23 February 1983
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
- Felix Osilama Okpoh
· Date of birth: 9 March 1989
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
- Micheal Olorunyomi
· Date of birth: 12 May 1983
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
- Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh
· Date of birth: 29 April 1986
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: OFAC cyber designation — transnational cybercrime
SECTION C: OTHER DESIGNATIONS (SDNTK)
- Abeni O. Ogungbuyi
· Also known as: BABESTAN, Abeni O.; SHOFESO, Olatutu Temitope
· Date of birth: 30 June 1952
· Place of birth: Nigeria
· Offence: SDNTK (Narcotics Trafficker Sanctions) — exact offence unclear
SECTION D: ORGANISATIONS SANCTIONED
- Boko Haram
· Also known as: JAMA’ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL-JIHAD; Nigerian Taliban
· Programme: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)
- Ansaru
· Also known as: ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN; Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa
· Programme: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)
- Amigo Supermarket Limited
· Programme: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to designated individuals
- Kafak Enterprises Limited
· Programme: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to designated individuals
- Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd
· Programme: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to designated individuals
- Aurum Ship Management FZC
· Programme: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to designated individuals
- ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA)
· Programme: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT)
- Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L.
· Programme: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) — linked to Hizballah
All property and interests of the above-named individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are BLOCKED. US persons are PROHIBITED from engaging in any transactions with them. International financial institutions that deal with sanctioned parties risk being CUT OFF from the US financial system.
Palang Paul reports on security and conflict for The Nigeria Times.
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