The United States government has designated a Nigerian citizen and three Nigeria-based companies as alleged financiers of terrorism in a sweeping crackdown targeting a global network accused of supporting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The latest move, announced by the U.S. Department of State, forms part of a broader action against three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations across multiple countries.
A new twist emerged after the United States released the identities of the individuals and companies affected by the sanctions, revealing that several of the entities are registered and operating in Lagos and Kano states.
According to a statement issued by U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott, the designations span Nigeria, Syria, France and Türkiye.
The U.S. government described the network as a financial system allegedly used to move money across international borders in support of ISIS activities.
Nigerian Citizen Named by US
Among those designated is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, a Nigerian national identified by U.S. authorities as being linked to ISIS-West Africa.
According to the designation notice, Muhammad is associated with addresses in Lagos State and was listed alongside other foreign nationals accused of facilitating financial transactions for the terrorist group.
Nigerian Firms Designated
The United States also named three Nigerian companies allegedly connected to the network:
- Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited (Lagos)
- Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited (Kano)
- Nine To Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited (Lagos)
U.S. authorities claimed the firms were linked to financial activities associated with Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad and the wider ISIS network.
Other Companies Listed
The sanctions also targeted foreign entities, including:
- Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Türkiye)
- Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Türkiye)
- Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange (Syria)
Full List of Individuals Designated
Abdelhakim Boukich
Also known as:
- Abu Sulayman Alholandi
- Muhammad Babili
Nationality: Netherlands/Syria
Miloud Abderrahmane
Also known as:
- Ibrahim Ghazi
Nationality: France
Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad
Also known as:
- Mukhtar Adamu
- Muhammad Mukhtar
Nationality: Nigeria
Why the Designation Matters
Under U.S. sanctions laws, individuals and entities designated as terrorist financiers face asset freezes, restrictions on financial transactions, and prohibitions on dealings involving U.S. persons or institutions.
The announcement marks one of the most significant recent actions involving Nigerian-linked businesses in an international terrorism financing investigation.
Previous Counterterrorism Action
The development comes months after U.S. President Donald Trump announced that American forces, working alongside Nigerian security agencies, had eliminated Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a senior ISIS leader, during an operation around the Lake Chad Basin.
The region has long been considered a major operational base for terrorist groups active in West Africa.
Source: Vanguard
