The United States government has sanctioned a Nigerian citizen and three Nigerian companies for allegedly facilitating financial transactions linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
According to the U.S. Department of State, the action is part of a broader crackdown targeting three individuals and six organisations accused of helping ISIS move funds across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.
Among those designated is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, a Lagos-based Nigerian. U.S. authorities allege that his money exchange businesses were used to channel funds supporting ISIS-related activities.
The three Nigerian firms added to the Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Lagos; Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, Ikeja, Lagos; and Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, Kano.
The sanctions also target entities operating in Türkiye and Syria, as well as two foreign nationals from France and Syria accused of providing financial and logistical support to ISIS.
“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,” U.S. State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and their financial supporters. The U.S. also reaffirmed its security cooperation with Nigeria, citing a recent joint operation that led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s second-in-command.
