US freezes assets of eight Nigerians over Boko Haram, ISIL, cybercrime links

Trump 

The United States America which officially designated the Nigeria's islamists Terrorists Boko Haram a foreign terrorist organisation in 2013 has freezes assets of eight Nigerians over Boko Haram, ISIL, cybercrime links.

The US State Department claimed that the group has carried out numerous deadly attacks across northern and northeastern Nigeria, as well as the Lake Chad Basin, since 2009. 

US President Donald Trump announced in October 2025, for the second time that Nigeria would be added to the US Department of State’s list of “Countries of Particular Concern,” citing alleged religious freedom violations and Christian genocide. 

Nigeria was first designated in 2020 under Trump during his first term but was removed from the list by former President Joe Biden shortly after he assumed office.

There were claims that insecurity in Nigeria was founded in t President Barrak Obama in a desperate agenda to to remove President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015 and put in place the pro terrorists regime of APC. There have never been any counter claims that APC imported and brought more Fulani Terrorists machineries from other West African countries into the country.


FULL LIST :

Sanctioned Nigerians (as named by OFAC):

Salih Yusuf Adamu (also known as Salihu Yusuf)

Babestan Oluwole Ademulero

Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi

Khaled Al-Barnawi

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan

Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki

 US frozen the assets of the above eight Nigerians linked to the Islamic sect Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

According to the detailed in a 3,000-page document released on February 10 by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). 

The document also identifies individuals sanctioned for cybercrime and other security threats, following recent U.S. Congressional recommendations for visa bans and asset freezes on those accused of violating religious freedom and persecuting Christians in Nigeria. 

US lawmakers have recommended visa bans and asset freezes against the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal, over alleged links to extremist activities.

 The recommendation was contained in a document released by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.”

 The publication outlines individuals and entities whose assets have been frozen and serves as a reference tool for compliance with US sanctions regimes, particularly those related to counter-terrorism. 

According to Office of Foreign Assets Control, the move forms part of broader efforts to block the property and interests of designated individuals and prevent financial dealings with them. 

“This publication of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control is designed as a reference tool providing actual notice of actions by OFAC with respect to Specially Designated Nationals and other persons … whose property is blocked, to assist the public in complying with the various sanctions programmes administered by OFAC,” the agency said.


Among those listed is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990, in Nigeria. OFAC identified him as having ties to Boko Haram. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for setting up a Boko Haram cell to raise funds for insurgents in Nigeria. The group attempted to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria.


Another individual, Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, was designated under SDNTK sanctions and listed under multiple aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso.


Also sanctioned were Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi (also known as Ba Idrisa), Abu Musab Al-Barnawi (Habib Yusuf), Khaled (Khalid) Al-Barnawi, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, all identified as having links to Boko Haram or ISIL. Several of the individuals were born in Maiduguri or other parts of Borno State and were sanctioned under terrorism-related executive orders.


Additionally, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions for cyber-related offences and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport.


The sanctions mean that all property and interests of the listed individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. 

Hence, Nigerians named under the sanctions face asset freezes under Executive Order 13224.

NIGERIAN ARMY TROOPS RESCUE RETIRED COLONEL FROM KIDNAPPERS IN PLATEAU STATE

The Nigerian Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP) have successfully rescued a retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd), following his abduction by unidentified gunmen in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

According to a statement by the military, the retired senior officer was kidnapped in the early hours of 5 January 2026 at about 0045 hours from his residence opposite the Salvation Army Church along Rukuba Road, Bassa LGA. Upon receipt of the distress call, troops of Sectors 1 and 3, Operation ENDURING PEACE, swiftly mobilised and trailed the kidnappers along their withdrawal route through the Wildlife Park.

The troops, in conjunction with the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) Tracking Team and local vigilantes, sustained intensive search and rescue operations, combing suspected criminal hideouts across caves and rocky high grounds within the general area.

Later in the day, at about 1400 hours, the kidnappers contacted the wife of the abducted retired officer and demanded a ransom of Two Hundred Million Naira (₦200,000,000.00). Having observed the overwhelming presence and pressure from pursuing troops, the kidnappers issued threats to kill the victim if search operations were not halted.

Consequently, troops tactically switched to covert operations, which culminated in the successful rescue of Colonel Ajanaku (Rtd) at about 1730 hours on 5 January 2026 at the outskirts of the Rafiki Axis, Bassa LGA, Plateau State, without any ransom payment.

The rescued retired officer is currently undergoing medical examination at the Operation ENDURING PEACE Medical Centre and is in stable condition. He will be debriefed to provide vital intelligence that will aid ongoing follow-up operations.

Meanwhile, troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE are continuing aggressive combing operations within the surrounding forests to apprehend the fleeing kidnappers and dismantle their criminal network.

The Nigerian Army, through Operation ENDURING PEACE, reaffirms its unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property and will continue to deny criminal elements freedom of action across the Joint Operations Area.

TROOPS FOIL BANDITS’ MOVEMENT, NEUTRALIZE CRIMINALS AND ARREST LOGISTICS SUPPLIER IN COORDINATED OPERATIONS IN KOGI STATE

Troops of 12 Brigade Nigerian Army Lokoja on 3 January  2026 have recorded significant operational successes following coordinated fighting patrols and ambush operations conducted across parts of Kabba Bunu and Yagba West Local Government Areas of Kogi State.

A statement signed by Lieutenant Hassan Abdullahi  who  is the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army confirmed that the troops' operation was based on credible intelligence on movement of bandits from Adankolo general area towards Agbadu Bunu in Kabba Bunu LGA, troops swiftly deployed and laid a deliberate ambush at bandit identified crossing point. The bandits subsequently ran into the troops’ ambush position and were engaged, forcing them to withdraw with indications of casualties as blood stains were observed during exploitation of the area. In the course of the encounter, troops neutralized two bandits and recovered one AK 47 rifle, one magazine, ninety nine rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, one locally fabricated gun and eleven cartridges.

In a related development, further intelligence revealed movement of bandits around Saminaka village in Yagba West LGA. Troops, in conjunction with local vigilantes, conducted a fighting patrol to the village and adjoining forested areas. On arrival, the village was observed to have been deserted, prompting troops to dismount and exploit the surrounding forest and routes leading towards the Saminaka Sabo Rijiya road. Troops made contact with an unconfirmed number of bandits and engaged them, leading to their withdrawal through the forest. During subsequent exploitation, troops traced the withdrawal route and discovered one neutralized bandit,one AK 47 rifle and seventeen rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition.

During the same operation, troops also arrested a suspected bandit logistics supplier identified as Sunday Adedotun, from Odo Eri village in Yagba West LGA. The suspect was apprehended on a farmland within Saminaka village and claimed to assist farmers in transporting produce after harvest. Items discovered at the settlement included cartons of energy and soft drinks, bottled water and harvested farm produce. The suspect is currently in custody undergoing investigation.

The series of operations underscores the sustained pressure being mounted by troops against criminal elements within the area and their support networks.

The Commander 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Kasim Umar Sidi commended the troops for their professionalism, courage and timely response to credible intelligence, noting that their actions reflect the high level of commitment to duty. He further assured the public that troops will continue to sustain aggressive patrols, ambushes and intelligence driven operations to deny criminal elements freedom of action within the area.

US Congressman Riley Moore Calls for MILITARY ACTION as ISWAP Declares Christians “Legitimate Targets” in Nigeria

Moore 

U.S. Congressman Riley Moore has called for increased American military support in Nigeria after the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) explicitly declared Christians “legitimate targets.”

The ISIS linked ISWAP released an image of one of the Christian villages in Adamawa State burning, alongside a statement saying that all Christians in Nigeria are legitimate targets, and they have an opportunity to "spare their blood" by converting to Islam or paying the jizyah tax to ISWAP.

Moore said that if there were any remaining doubts about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, this latest development “should end that debate,” insisting the violence is driven by religion rather than disputes over land or climate policy.

He accused ISWAP of seeking to force conversions and praised ongoing cooperation between the United States and the Nigerian government to counter extremist attacks.

ISWAP has escalated attacks in northeastern Nigeria, burning villages, destroying churches and homes, and issuing statements that residents could “spare their blood” only by converting to Islam or paying the protection tax, jizyah. Reports indicate at least one village suffered significant loss of life, including over 100 homes destroyed.

Moore highlighted recent U.S.-backed airstrikes on ISIS-linked camps as part of efforts to protect civilians and degrade extremist operations, emphasizing continued cooperation between U.S. and Nigerian forces

CHRISTMAS BANGERS: US Spent Over N36 Billions In One Night Against Nigeria's ISIS linked Terrorists

The United States President Donald Trump ordered the missile attacks against the ISIS linked Terrorists group in Nigeria on the late night if the Christmas day.

Over N36b of Nigeria naira have be reportedly spent.


A U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the strike in Nigeria was carried out by about a dozen Tomahawk missiles launched from a U.S. Navy warship, USS Paul Ignatius, with each missile costing close to $2 million.

What this means is that over $24 million (36 billion naira) were spent by the Trump government in Nigeria last night.


Meanwhile, both the federal government of Nigeria and the Sokoto State government have separately confirmed that Nigerian security forces, working in close coordination with the United States, have carried out successful precision strike operations against Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist enclaves in Sokoto State.


According to a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the strikes targeted two major ISIS camps located within the Bauni forest axis of Tangaza Local Government Area.


Nigeria State under the APC led pro Terrorists Civilian Regime has become a den of criminalities where different criminal groups are operating without genuine check until US President Donald Trump's threats and rhetorics.

The question is ; If the missile strikes should continue against the terrorists , will Nigeria be able to bear the financial consequences under this very corrupt APC led leadership?