A document from the United States has confirmed various bank accounts, stocks and crypto currency details of bandits sponsors and the mode of operation for transportation of funds by wireless transfer or courier.
Consequently, the US has frozen the assets and property of several Nigerians accused of links to the Islamist sects, Boko Haram and the ISIL.
The US government also sanctioned some individuals and organisations for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats.
This was detailed in a 3,000-page document updated by the United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on February 10.
The sanction means all property and interests of these individuals and entities within US jurisdiction are blocked under Executive Order 13224, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
All the individuals indicted by the United States government have been placed on the Red Notice of the International Police (INTERPOL), as the Federal Bureau of Intelligence (FBI) spread intelligence for their live capture.
It was learnt that these suspects’ mobile phones, movements, lifestyle are presently under the global radar and scrutiny within Nigeria to other parts of Africa.
Meanwhile, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), has initiated a set of senior anti-terrorists’ law enforcement officers to come in company of 100 U.S. troops a few days ago into Nigeria with the purpose of stepping up undercover operations to crack terrorists’ network and bring the bandits to book.
*Some of those in the list
Khalid al‑Barnawi: Also known as: AL-BARNAWI, Khaled; BARNAWI, Khalid; EL-BARNAOUI, Khaled; HAFSAT, Abu; USMAN, Mohammed. Date of birth: 1976. Place of birth: Maiduguri, Nigeria. Offence/Program: Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) -linked to Boko Haram/terrorism
Abubakar Shekau: Also known as: BIN MOHAMMED, Abu Mohammed Abubakar; BI MUHAMMED, Abu Muhammed Abubakar; SHEHU; SHAYKU; SHEKAU. Date of birth: 1969. Place of birth: Shekau Village, Yobe State, Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT-leader associated with Boko Haram
*Abu Musab al‑Barnawi: Also known as: YUSUF, Habib. Date of birth: 1991 (multiple alternate DOBs listed by OFAC). Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT- Boko Haram affiliate/leader
*Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki: Also known as: AL-MINUKI, Abu-Bilal; MAINOK, Abor; MAINOK, Abubakar. Date of birth: 1982. Place of birth: Mainok, Benisheikh, Borno State, Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT-linked to ISIL
*Salihu Yusuf Adamu: Also known as: ADAMU, Salih Yusuf. Date of birth: 23 Aug 1990. Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi. Offence/Program: SDGT-linked to Boko Haram
*Surajo Abubakar Muhammad: Also known as: MUHAMMAD, Surajo Abu Bakr. Date of birth: 3 Jul 1979. Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi. Offence/Program: SDGT-linked to Boko Haram
*Abdurrahman Ado Musa: Also known as: MUSA, Abdurrahman Ado. Date of birth: 23 Apr 1984. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT- linked to Boko Haram
*Bashir Ali Yusuf: Date of birth: 7 Aug 1984. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT-linked to Boko Haram
*Ibrahim Ali Alhassan: Date of birth: 31 Jan 1981 Place of birth: Nigeria; current location: Abu Dhabi. Offence/Program: SDGT-linked to Boko Haram
*Nnamdi Orson Benson: Date of birth: 21 Mar 1987. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Abiola Ayorinde Kayode: Date of birth: 14 Nov 1987. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin: Date of birth: 23 Feb 1983. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Felix Osilama Okpoh: Date of birth: 9 Mar 1989. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Micheal Olorunyomi: Date of birth: 12 May 1983. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh: Date of birth: 29 Apr 1986. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: OFAC cyber designation (CYBER2)
*Ali Abbas Usman Jega: Also known as: JEGA, Ali Abbas Usman; HASSAN, Ali Abbas Othman; JEGA, Abbas. Date of birth: 1965. Address: Abuja, Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDGT
*Abeni O. Ogunbiyi: Also known as: BABESTAN, Abeni O.; SHOFESO, Olatutu Temitope. Date of birth: 30 Jun 1952. Place of birth: Nigeria. Offence/Program: SDNTK
*Organisations Currently Sanctioned by the US (Nigeria-Based):
*Boko Haram: Also known as: JAMA’ATU AHLIS-SUNNAH LIDDA’AWATI WAL-JIHAD; Nigerian Taliban. Offence/Program: Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT-terrorism
*Ansaru: Also known as: ANSARUL MUSLIMINA FI BILADIS SUDAN; Vanguards for the Protection of Muslims in Black Africa. Offence/Program: FTO and SDGT- terrorism
*A major supermarket and an affiliate company with its affiliate Amusement Park and Resort based in Abuja: Program: SDGT- linked to individuals designated by OFAC
*Organisations with alleged Nigerian affiliations: A ship management company, SDGT-linked to designated individuals
*ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA). Program: FTO and SDGT- terrorism
*A trust bank.: Program: SDGT- linked to Hizballah
According to OFAC, the list serves as a reference tool, providing notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests are blocked as part of its counter-terrorism efforts.
“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons (which term includes both individuals and entities) whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.
The inclusion of these names in the OFAC list underscores Washington’s continued focus on countering terrorism financing and cyber threats.
The pronouncement comes on the heels of 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.
The former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso; the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria; and Miyetti Allah Kautal, were recommended by United States lawmakers for visa bans and asset freezes.
In October 2025, for the second time, US President Donald Trump, announced that Nigeria would be added to the Department of State’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list for religious freedom, alleging persecution of Christians by Muslims.
Nigeria was first designated in 2020 under Trump, but was removed by President Joe Biden shortly after assuming office.
