US freezes assets of eight Nigerians over alleged Boko Haram and cybercrime links

The United States government has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

The sanctions were detailed in a 3,000-page document released by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). The document, titled the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), contains the names of individuals and entities subject to US sanctions.

According to the report, some of the affected individuals were designated for terrorism-related activities, while others were cited for alleged involvement in cybercrime and related security threats.

The development follows recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on individuals and groups accused of violating religious freedom and persecuting Christians in Nigeria.

US President Donald Trump had previously designated Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over religious freedom concerns.

Under Executive Order 13224, those listed face asset freezes and financial restrictions within US jurisdiction.

Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having links to Boko Haram and was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for establishing a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. 

The group was found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.

Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, was also listed under terrorism-related sanctions. He was identified under multiple aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.

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

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

Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was designated under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged cybercrime-related offences and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.

The sanctions mean that any assets belonging to the named individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them.