The United States has imposed sanctions on several Nigerians and organizations accused of links to extremist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State network, as well as individuals tied to cybercrime and other security threats.
The sanctions were detailed in an updated list released on February 10 by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), a division of the United States Department of the Treasury.
Under Executive Order 13224, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Individuals designated
Among those listed as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) are:
- Khalid al-Barnawi
- Abubakar Shekau
- Abu Musab al-Barnawi
- Abu Bakr al-Mainuki
- Salihu Yusuf Adamu
- Surajo Abubakar Muhammad
- Abdurrahman Ado Musa
- Bashir Ali Yusuf
- Ibrahim Ali Alhassan
- Ali Abbas Usman Jega
Several Nigerians were also designated under OFAC’s cyber sanctions programme (CYBER2), including:
- Nnamdi Orson Benson
- Abiola Ayorinde Kayode
- Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin
- Felix Osilama Okpoh
- Micheal Olorunyomi
- Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh
Additionally, Abeni O. Ogungbuyi was listed under the SDNTK programme.
Organisations sanctioned
Nigeria-based organisations and groups designated include:
- Boko Haram — listed as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and SDGT
- Ansaru — also designated as FTO and SDGT
- Amigo Supermarket Limited
- Kafak Enterprises Limited
- Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd
Other entities with alleged Nigerian affiliations include:
- Aurum Ship Management FZC
- ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA)
- Jammal Trust Bank S.A.L.
OFAC said the publication serves as a formal notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals and other blocked persons.
“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… whose property is blocked,” the agency stated.
Religious freedom context
The latest sanctions come amid renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s security and religious freedom situation in Washington.
In October 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Nigeria would again be placed on the U.S. Department of State’s “Countries of Particular Concern” list over alleged violations of religious freedom. Nigeria had previously been designated in 2020 but was later removed by President Joe Biden shortly after he assumed office.
U.S. lawmakers have also recommended visa bans and asset freezes on certain Nigerian political figures and groups over alleged religious persecution and related concerns.
The updated OFAC list underscores Washington’s continued focus on disrupting terrorism financing networks, countering extremist groups and addressing cyber-enabled threats linked to Nigeria and the wider region.
