The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three Nigeria-based companies for allegedly facilitating financial transactions linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), as Washington intensified efforts to disrupt the extremist group’s global funding network.
The sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of State, form part of a broader action targeting three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa for allegedly helping ISIS transfer funds across international borders.
According to the U.S. government, the coordinated action is aimed at dismantling financial channels used by the terrorist organization and its affiliates, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
In a statement, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the latest designations expose a transnational financial network stretching from Europe to Africa.
“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,” Pigott said.
The Nigerians named in the sanctions, whom U.S. authorities alleged is linked to ISIS-West Africa are:
- Abdelhakim, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
- Abderrahmane, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
- Muhammad, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; DOB 02 Aug 1990 (alt. 03 Aug 1990); nationality Nigeria; male; Passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS-West Africa).
Washington also sanctioned three companies registered in Nigeria, accusing them of supporting the financial activities of the network.
The affected Nigerian companies are:
- Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic Ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi (A.K.A. Al-Karam Company; Al-Karam Money Transfer Company; Spider Company Istanbul Exchange Rates); Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
- Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange (A.K.A. Idlib No 1 Btc; No.1 Bitcoin Exchange Agent; Bitcoin Xchange); Idlib, Salqin, Darkush, Sarmada, Syria; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
- Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited; Lagos, Nigeria; RC 1555604; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
- Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited; No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria; RC 1763824; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
- Nine To Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited; Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria; RC 1462752; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).
- Spider Gayrimenkul Ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi (a.k.a. Spider Money Transfer Company; Spider Ticaret); Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).
According to the U.S. Treasury, the companies are allegedly connected to Mukhtar Adamu’s financial network.
The sanctions also target two individuals from Europe and three other companies operating in Türkiye and Syria that U.S. authorities believe facilitated financial transfers for ISIS.
Under the measures, all property and interests in property of the designated persons and entities that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, while American citizens and businesses are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
Pigott said the United States would continue deploying diplomatic, financial and legal measures against ISIS and those accused of supporting the group’s operations.
“We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable, wherever they operate and however they move money,” he said.
He added that Washington remained committed to working with international partners to combat terrorism and eliminate the threat posed by ISIS to global peace and security.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended, the U.S. legal framework used to designate terrorists and organizations accused of providing support to terrorism.
ISIS has been listed by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organization since 2004. The latest action extends that designation to individuals and businesses the U.S. alleges are part of the group’s international financial support structure.
The Nigerian government had not issued an official response to the designations as of the time of filing this report.
