The United States Department of the Treasury has sanctioned eight Nigerian nationals over alleged links to terrorism financing and cybercrime, in a move aimed at tightening oversight of global security threats. The action was carried out by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which enforces US sanctions laws. Under the order, all property and financial interests of the designated individuals within the United States have been frozen, and US citizens and businesses are barred from conducting transactions with them, effectively cutting off their access to the US financial system.
According to US authorities, several of the sanctioned individuals are accused of supporting extremist groups including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Those named include Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, who is accused of financing Boko Haram and was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates for attempting to channel funds to insurgents. Others listed include Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, 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 Al Mainuki (Abu Bilal Al Minuki), all allegedly linked to extremist financing, logistics, or operational support.
In addition to terrorism financing allegations, one of the eight individuals, Nnamdi Orson Benson, was designated under CYBER2 sanctions for significant cybercrime-related activities. US officials have warned that cybercrime — including digital fraud, online scams, and illicit cryptocurrency transactions — is increasingly being used to generate or transfer funds tied to extremist networks. The designation highlights growing concerns about the convergence of terrorism financing and cybercrime in sustaining security threats across jurisdictions.
The sanctions were issued under US counter-terrorism authorities aimed at disrupting financial channels used to support militant activities. Once placed on the OFAC sanctions list, individuals are largely excluded from the US financial ecosystem, and global financial institutions often comply to avoid secondary sanctions. The move underscores Washington’s continued reliance on financial sanctions as a key strategy to combat terrorism financing and cybercrime worldwide.
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