Assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having links to the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant have been frozen by the United States of America.
The information contained in a 3,000-page document and released by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control dated February 10, also identified individuals sanctioned for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats.
The pronouncement is coming after recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes on persons and groups accused of violations of religious freedom and persecution of Christians in Nigeria, including former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal.
The OFAC document, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” detailed individuals of other nationalities and entities whose assets had been frozen, serving as a reference tool.
Those in the list include: Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 for setting up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria.
Also affected are Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, designated under SDNTK who operate under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.
Others are: Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa referred to as Habib Yusuf;
Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, linked to Boko Haram and listed under several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman and Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, reportedly residing in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
The rest are: Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, identified as having ties to ISIL and Nnamdi Orson Benson, listed under CYBER2 sanctions.
Reports indicate that the inclusion of these names in the OFAC list highlights Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.
The sanctions mean that all property and interests of these individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Nigerians listed under the US Treasury sanctions face asset freezes under Executive Order 13224.
Recall, the United States officially designated Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013.
Nigeria was first designated as a Country of Particular Concern in 2020 under President Trump, but former President Joe Biden removed Nigeria from the list shortly after assuming office.
