U.S. Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Linked to Terrorism

On February 10, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) released a 3,000-page document detailing the freezing of assets belonging to eight Nigerians accused of connections to Boko Haram and ISIL.

Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, previously convicted in the United Arab Emirates in 2022 for establishing a Boko Haram cell that raised funds for the insurgent group. Other individuals named include Babestan Oluwol Ademulero and several identified Boko Haram leaders such as Abu Abdullah Ibn Umar Al Barnawi and Abu Musab Al Barnawi.

The sanctions block any property interests within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit financial transactions with these individuals. This action follows recent recommendations from U.S.

Congress for visa bans and asset freezes against certain Nigerians accused of violating religious freedoms, particularly against Christians. Boko Haram has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. since 2013, responsible for thousands of deaths in Nigeria's northern and northeastern regions.