The United States has sanctioned a Nigerian citizen and three Nigeria-based firms over their alleged involvement in financing activities linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
The Punch reported that the action forms part of a broader designation targeting three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating financial transactions for ISIS operations across different regions of the world.
In a statement issued on Monday and seen on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the latest sanctions affected individuals and businesses operating in France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
According to him, the targeted network played a significant role in moving funds across international borders on behalf of the terrorist group.
“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.
“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
The U.S. government later published the identities of the three individuals and six companies affected by the sanctions.
The Nigerian named in the designation is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, also known as Mukhtar Adamu and Muhammad Mukhtar. Authorities listed his address as No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State.
Three Nigerian firms were also added to the Specially Designated Nationals list. They are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited in Lagos, Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited in Kano, and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited in Ikeja, Lagos.
The remaining entities sanctioned include Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi and Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi, both based in Türkiye, as well as Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange in Syria.
The designated individuals also include Abdelhakim Boukich, a Netherlands national based in Syria, and Miloud Abderrahmane, a French citizen.
The United States reiterated its commitment to cooperation with Nigeria, noting that both countries participated in the May 16, 2026 operation that led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s second-in-command.
Pigott said Washington would continue pursuing ISIS operatives and supporters through diplomatic and legal means.
“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. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security,” he said.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
The statement also recalled that ISIS, previously known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation in 2004.
