The United States Government has imposed sanctions on a Nigerian and three companies operating in Nigeria over their alleged involvement in a financial network linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The sanctions were announced by the US Department of State as part of a broader crackdown on individuals and entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for the terrorist group across multiple countries.
According to the US authorities, the latest action targets three individuals and six entities operating in Europe, the Middle East and West Africa that allegedly enabled ISIS to transfer money across international borders.
US Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said the designations exposed an extensive financial network stretching from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
Among those sanctioned is Nigerian national Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, who the US alleged is linked to ISIS-West Africa. He was listed alongside Dutch national Abdelhakim Boukich and French citizen Miloud Abderrahmane.
Also designated were three Nigerian companies — Generation Currency Bureau de Change Limited, Lagos; Manhattan Bureau de Change Limited, Kano; and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau de Change Limited, Ikeja, Lagos.
The US government alleged that the companies were connected to financial activities involving Muhammad and an ISIS-linked network.
In addition to the Nigerian firms, two companies based in Türkiye and a cryptocurrency exchange business operating in Syria were also included in the sanctions list.
Pigott said the action reflects Washington's commitment to dismantling financial structures used by terrorist organisations to sustain their operations.
“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,” he said.
He added that the United States would continue to work with international partners to disrupt terrorist financing and hold those responsible accountable.
“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,” Pigott stated.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which authorises the US government to target individuals, groups and entities accused of supporting terrorism.
Under the designation, any assets belonging to the listed individuals and entities that fall within US jurisdiction may be blocked, while American citizens and businesses are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
ISIS has been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation since 2004.
The US authorities said the latest sanctions form part of ongoing international efforts to disrupt the financial channels through which terrorist organisations raise, move and access funds.
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