US Sanctions: Over 20 Nigerians, Boko Haram, Ansaru targeted

US sanctions Nigerians accused of links to terrorism and cybercrime as Washington intensifies efforts to disrupt extremist financing networks.

The United States government has frozen assets belonging to more than 20 Nigerians and several organisations tied to violent extremist groups and cybercriminal operations.

The sanctions follow a February 10 release by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, an agency under the United States Department of the Treasury. The update appears in a 3,000-page sanctions document covering terrorism and cybercrime programmes.

As a result, all assets and financial interests linked to the listed individuals within US jurisdiction are now blocked. In addition, US persons and institutions must not engage in transactions with them under Executive Order 13224.

US Sanctions Nigerians Over Terrorism Allegations

OFAC designated several Nigerians as Specially Designated Global Terrorists, SDGTs. Authorities linked many of them to Boko Haram and its splinter factions.

The list includes Khalid al-Barnawi, Abubakar Shekau, Abu Musab al-Barnawi, Abu Bakr al-Mainuki, and Ali Abbas Usman Jega. According to US officials, these individuals allegedly provided leadership, logistics, or operational support to extremist groups.

Meanwhile, the US continues to pursue regional affiliates such as ISIS-West Africa, which remains under terrorism sanctions.

Cybercrime Cases Added as US Sanctions Nigerians

Beyond terrorism, US sanctions Nigerians accused of large-scale cybercrime under OFAC’s CYBER2 programme. The sanctioned individuals allegedly participated in digital fraud schemes that targeted international victims.

Those listed include Nnamdi Orson Benson, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Felix Osilama Okpoh, Micheal Olorunyomi, and Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh.

Sanctioned Organisations With Nigerian Links

The US also reaffirmed sanctions against Ansaru, which operates as an al-Qaeda-aligned faction in Nigeria. Authorities continue to denylisted the group as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

Other Nigeria-linked entities affected include Amigo Supermarket Limited, Kafak Enterprises Limited, and Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd. OFAC said these firms allegedly supported individuals already under sanctions.

Why the US Issued the Sanctions

According to OFAC, the sanctions list serves as a compliance guide for governments, banks, and businesses worldwide.

The agency explained that the publication gives public notice of individuals and entities whose assets are blocked to support counter-terrorism and anti-financial crime efforts.

You can read more about OFAC’s sanctions programmes on the official US Treasury website and learn about terrorist designations via the US Department of State.

https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/financial-sanctions/sanctions-programs

Wider US–Nigeria Context

The sanctions come amid renewed debate in Washington over Nigeria’s security and religious freedom challenges. In recent years, US lawmakers have called for visa restrictions and asset freezes against individuals accused of religious persecution.

In 2025, US President Donald Trump again placed Nigeria on the State Department’s Countries of Particular Concern list. Nigeria was first added in 2020 but later removed under President Joe Biden.