The United States has imposed sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of having links with the Islamist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, as well as involvement in cybercrime and other security-related offences.
The sanctions were contained in a more than 3,000-page document released by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which listed individuals and entities whose assets and properties have been frozen under various sanctions programmes. The document serves as an official notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals whose property and financial interests have been blocked.
According to the document, the sanctions form part of broader counter-terrorism and security efforts aimed at preventing designated individuals from accessing the global financial system or engaging in financial transactions.
The development comes shortly after recommendations by the United States Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on a former governor of Kano State and some Miyetti Allah groups over allegations of violence in Nigeria.
The publication explained that the list is intended to guide the public, financial institutions, and other stakeholders in complying with US sanctions laws. It noted that any dealings with individuals or entities listed as Specially Designated Nationals are prohibited under US regulations.
Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. He was identified as having links with Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.
Yusuf Adamu was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for fighters in Nigeria. The group was found guilty of attempting to transfer about 782,000 dollars from Dubai to Nigeria.
Another Nigerian listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on March 4, 1953, in Nigeria, who was designated under terrorism-related sanctions.
The document also contains the names of individuals from other countries and entities whose assets have been frozen as part of ongoing US efforts to combat terrorism, cybercrime, and other threats to international security.
