The United States government has designated eight Nigerians as terrorism sponsors, freezing their assets and imposing financial restrictions over alleged links to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Thea action was announced by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in its latest sanctions update released on February 10, 2026.
According to the Treasury Department, the individuals were added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) and Blocked Persons List. The designation identifies them as individuals accused of sponsoring, financing, or otherwise supporting terrorist activities connected to Boko Haram and ISIL.
As a result of the sanctions, all property and assets belonging to the named individuals that fall under U.S. jurisdiction have been frozen. U.S. citizens, financial institutions, and companies are prohibited from engaging in any transactions or business dealings with them.
The restrictions extend beyond the United States, as international banks and financial institutions often comply with U.S. sanctions to avoid secondary penalties. This typically limits access to global financial systems for those designated.
Among the individuals listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, who was previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022. Authorities in the UAE found him guilty of establishing a Boko Haram fundraising network and attempting to transfer approximately $782,000 to insurgents operating in Nigeria.
Also named in the sanctions are Abu Musab Al-Barnawi and Khaled Al-Barnawi, both identified by U.S. authorities as senior figures within Boko Haram. Abu Musab Al-Barnawi has been described as a key leader within the group, while Khaled Al-Barnawi has long been associated with militant operations.
Other individuals included in the designation are Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al-Mainuki. The Treasury Department alleges that they played roles in financing or materially supporting terrorist activities.
Nnamdi Orson Benson was also sanctioned, with U.S. authorities alleging that he engaged in cyber-enabled activities linked to terrorist financing networks. The designation suggests involvement in digital or online channels used to facilitate financial support for extremist groups.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, a counter-terrorism authority that enables the U.S. government to target individuals and entities accused of supporting terrorism. The executive order has been used globally to disrupt funding networks and limit the operational capacity of designated terrorist organizations.
Boko Haram has been listed by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization since 2013. The group has been responsible for years of insurgency in northeastern Nigeria and has carried out attacks affecting neighboring countries in the Lake Chad region.
ISIL, also known as ISIS, has similarly been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and several other countries. U.S. authorities have repeatedly emphasized efforts to cut off financial flows to such groups as part of broader counter-terrorism strategies.
The addition of the eight Nigerians to the sanctions list is part of ongoing efforts by U.S. authorities to disrupt financial and operational support structures linked to extremist organizations. By targeting individuals accused of facilitating funding, the Treasury Department aims to restrict their ability to move money across borders.
As of the time of the announcement, there has been no official response from the Nigerian government regarding the latest designations. The individuals named in the sanctions have also not publicly commented on the allegations.
The sanctions do not constitute criminal charges in a U.S. court but carry significant financial and reputational consequences. Individuals placed on the SDN list often face restrictions that affect international travel, banking access, and business operations.
U.S. officials have stated in previous cases that such measures are intended to deter financial networks that sustain extremist violence. The February 10 update underscores Washington’s continued focus on combating terrorism financing through economic sanctions and international cooperation.
