US Sanctions 8 Nigerians Over Terrorism, Cybercrime
The United States has imposed stringent sanctions on eight Nigerians, alleging ties to formidable terrorist organisations, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), as well as involvement in serious cybercrime-related offences.
These significant sanctions were formally announced on 10 February in a publication by the United States Department of the Treasury, specifically through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). This action forms part of a comprehensive 3,000-page update to the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” (SDN List), a crucial document outlining individuals and entities subject to US sanctions.
OFAC clarified that the SDN List serves as an official reference tool, providing public notice of persons whose property and interests in property are blocked under US law. This is a key component of their counter-terrorism and other sanctions programmes, designed to assist the public in adhering to the various sanctions regimes administered by OFAC.
Designated Individuals and Allegations
Among the individuals named on the list is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born on 23 August 1990. He has been identified for his alleged links to Boko Haram. Yusuf was one of six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for establishing a Boko Haram cell. This cell was allegedly engaged in raising funds for insurgents operating in Nigeria. The group was found guilty of attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.
Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born on 4 March 1953, has also been placed under terrorism-related sanctions. He was identified using several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.
Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was flagged due to his alleged involvement in terrorism. Similarly, Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, sometimes referred to as Habib Yusuf, was identified as a Boko Haram leader, with varying birth years listed between 1990 and 1995.
Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri, features twice in the publication and is associated with several aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman. Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born on 31 January 1981, was identified as holding a Nigerian passport and reportedly resides in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He too has been linked to Boko Haram.
Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State, was designated for alleged ties to ISIL. Nnamdi Orson Benson, born on 21 March 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions, which specifically target individuals involved in significant malicious cyber-enabled activities. He was also identified as holding a Nigerian passport.
Implications of the Sanctions
Under these new sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are effectively blocked. Furthermore, US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with these individuals. These stringent measures were issued in accordance with Executive Order 13224, which is designed to target individuals and entities involved in both terrorism and its financing.
It is worth noting that the United States formally designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation back in 2013, solidifying its stance against the group’s activities.
(SOURCE: News Report)