The United States has designated a Nigerian national and other individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa as alleged financial facilitators in activities linked to the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
In a statement issued on Monday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the action targeted three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world.
“We are cutting off the financial lifelines from around the world that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities,” the statement noted.
According to the statement, the designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria, describing the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders –exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“Among those designated is a France based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, a former chairman of the Kebbi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alhaji Muhammadu Besse, has died in bandits’ captivity.
Besse was abducted earlier in June.
This was disclosed on Tuesday in a post on X by Bakatsine, a journalist who reports on conflict and insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West region.
A video had emerged, showing the former APC chairman and his associate being humiliated by bandits in the Birnin Gwari forest.
Bakatsine wrote: “DEVASTATING UPDATE: Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse LGA in Kebbi State, has now also been confirmed dead in captivity.
“This means both men seen in the videos released from the Birnin Gwari forest have lost their lives without ever reuniting with their families after their abduction.
“What began as disturbing footage of humiliation has ended in the worst possible tragedy. Two lives gone, two families shattered and more painful questions about the security crisis facing communities across northern Nigeria.
“May Almighty Allah forgive them, grant them Aljannatul Firdaus and comfort their loved ones.”
