U.S. LIST NIGERIANS AND ORGANIZATIONS LINKED TO TERRORISM AND CYBERCRIME

The U.S. Department of the Treasury has sanctioned eight Nigerian nationals and several organizations linked to terrorism and cybercrime, freezing their assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with them.Sanctioned Individuals (2026):Khalid al-Barnawi – Boko Haram affiliateAbubakar Shekau – Boko Haram leaderAbu Musab al-Barnawi (aka Yusuf/Habib) – Boko Haram leaderAbu Bakr al-Mainuki (aka Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki) – ISIL-linkedSalihu Yusuf Adamu – Convicted for Boko Haram fundraisingSurajo Abubakar Muhammad – Boko HaramAbdurrahman Ado Musa – Boko HaramBashir Ali Yusuf – Boko HaramDesignated Organizations:Boko Haram – Active extremist group in northeast NigeriaAnsaru – Boko Haram splinter groupISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA) – ISIL affiliate operating in West AfricaThe Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) says the sanctions aim to disrupt financial networks that fund terrorism and cybercrime, hold individuals accountable, and reinforce international security measures.Analysts note that Boko Haram, Ansaru, and ISIS-West Africa continue to rely on complex financial and cyber networks to fund their operations. By freezing assets and imposing sanctions, the U.S. seeks to cut off these lifelines and pressure other nations to cooperate in counter-terrorism efforts.