The United States Department of the Treasury has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerian nationals over alleged links to terrorism financing and cybercrime, escalating Washington’s financial crackdown on global security threats. The designations were issued through the Treasury’s sanctions arm, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which blocks assets and restricts financial dealings under US jurisdiction.
Under the sanctions framework, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals within the United States are frozen. US citizens and entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them, effectively cutting off access to the American financial system.
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Who Was Sanctioned and Why
OFAC’s list includes several individuals alleged to have ties to extremist organisations such as Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), along with one person linked to serious cyber-enabled offences.
Among those designated are:
- Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf — accused of providing financial support to Boko Haram and previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates for attempting to funnel funds to insurgents.
- Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, listed under multiple aliases and tied to extremist activities.
- Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (Ba Idrisa) and Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf) — identified as leaders within Boko Haram.
- Khaled Al-Barnawi, connected to Boko Haram through several aliases.
- Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, reported to reside in the United Arab Emirates and allegedly linked to extremist operations.
- Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Mainuki (Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki) — identified with ISIL.
- Nnamdi Orson Benson, designated under “CYBER2” sanctions for involvement in significant cybercrime-related activities.
Alleged Terror Links
According to US authorities, several of the sanctioned individuals are accused of supporting or being associated with extremist groups including Boko Haram and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The designations were made pursuant to counter-terrorism authorities that target individuals suspected of financing, facilitating or materially supporting terrorist activities.
Officials allege that some of the listed persons were involved in fundraising, logistical coordination or operational support for extremist networks operating in West Africa and beyond. The sanctions aim to disrupt these financial pipelines and isolate actors believed to be sustaining insurgent activities.
Cybercrime Dimension
In addition to terrorism-related allegations, one of the individuals was designated under cyber-related sanctions authorities. This reflects the increasing overlap between terrorism financing and cyber-enabled financial crimes. US enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that digital fraud, online scams and illicit cryptocurrency transactions are being used to generate or move funds linked to broader security threats.
The inclusion of cybercrime-linked actors underscores the growing policy focus on the intersection between digital financial misconduct and national security risks.
Financial and Legal Impact
Once sanctioned, individuals are effectively excluded from the US financial ecosystem. Banks and financial institutions worldwide often comply with OFAC listings to avoid secondary sanctions exposure, meaning the impact can extend beyond US borders. Assets under US control are frozen, and international transactions become significantly restricted.
The move signals Washington’s continued reliance on financial sanctions as a strategic tool to counter terrorism financing and transnational cyber threats. Analysts note that such measures are designed not only to penalise individuals but also to deter networks that rely on global financial systems to operate.
The sanctions form part of broader efforts to curb illicit financial flows and disrupt the operational capacity of extremist and cybercrime-linked networks operating across jurisdictions.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
