The United States has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians over alleged links to terrorism and cybercrime.
The action was detailed in a 3,000-page document released on February 10 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which listed individuals and entities placed under sanctions as part of US counter-terrorism measures. The publication, titled the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, outlines persons whose assets have been blocked and prohibits Americans from conducting financial transactions with them.
According to OFAC, the sanctions are aimed at preventing designated individuals from accessing property or financial systems under US jurisdiction and ensuring compliance with US sanctions programmes.
Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, who was identified as having ties to Boko Haram. He was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for helping establish a Boko Haram fundraising cell that allegedly attempted to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Also sanctioned was Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, designated under terrorism-related sanctions and identified under multiple aliases.
Other individuals named include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (Ba Idrisa), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf), Khaled Al-Barnawi, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, all accused of links to Boko Haram or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Several were reportedly born in Maiduguri and other parts of Borno State.
In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson was listed under cyber-related sanctions for alleged cyber offences.
US lawmakers also recommended visa bans and asset freezes against former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal, over alleged extremist links.
The sanctions mean that any assets belonging to the listed individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US citizens and entities are prohibited from engaging in financial dealings with them under Executive Order 13224.
The US officially designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013, citing its involvement in deadly attacks across northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.
In October 2025, President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would again be placed on the US State Department’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern” over alleged religious freedom violations. Nigeria had previously been added to the list in 2020 under Trump but was later removed by former President Joe Biden shortly after taking office.
