US Sanctions 8 Nigerians Over Alleged Boko Haram Links and Cybercrime

The United States has announced sanctions against eight Nigerians, saying they are connected to terrorism-related activity and cybercrime.

The action was published under the U.S. Treasury Department’s sanctions system, which is designed to restrict targeted individuals from using financial networks linked to the United States. It also serves as a warning to banks and businesses to avoid dealing with those listed.

In practical terms, it means any property, funds, or business interests linked to the named individuals that fall under U.S. reach can be blocked. It also means U.S. citizens and U.S.-based companies are generally not allowed to do business with them.

However, the effect can go beyond the United States. Many international transactions, especially dollar payments, pass through systems that connect to U.S. banks. Because of this, global banks and companies often follow U.S. sanctions rules to avoid compliance risk. Once a person is listed, banks may freeze transactions, delay transfers, or end business relationships linked to that name.

What the report says led to the sanctions

The report says the designations were included in a broader sanctions publication released by the U.S. Treasury’s sanctions office. It described the list as including people linked to extremist networks such as Boko Haram and ISIL-related groups, and it also mentioned at least one person listed under a cyber-related sanctions category.

The eight Nigerians named in the report

The report listed eight Nigerians and included identifying details such as dates of birth, locations, aliases, and the sanctions category used for each name. These details are usually added to reduce confusion, because people can share similar names.

One name mentioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu (also written as Salihu Yusuf). The report described him as having links to Boko Haram and also referenced the use of a Nigerian passport.

The report further referred to a 2022 case in the United Arab Emirates involving Nigerians convicted for attempting to move funds from Dubai to Nigeria in a matter linked to allegations of financing Boko Haram fighters. The report said the amount involved was $782,000, and it connected Yusuf Adamu to that case.

Another person listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, and the report said he appeared under several aliases. It also stated that he was designated under a counter-terrorism-related sanctions label.

The report also included names it linked to Boko Haram networks, including Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (also known as Ba Idrisa) and Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (also referred to as Habib Yusuf). The report described Abu Musab Al-Barnawi as a Boko Haram leader and said he was sanctioned under terrorism provisions.

Another name mentioned is Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, with the report noting that the individual was linked to Boko Haram and associated with multiple aliases.

Another person listed is Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, whom the report described as being linked to Boko Haram. It also stated that he held a Nigerian passport and resided in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The report further listed Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Ali Al-Mainuki (also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki), and described him as having ties to ISIL.

Finally, the report named Nnamdi Orson Benson, stating he was listed under a cyber-related sanctions category and held a Nigerian passport.