US freezes assets of 18 Nigerians over terror, cybercrime, drug links

The United States government on Monday announced sweeping sanctions against 18 Nigerians and associated entities for alleged involvement in terrorism, cybercrime, and narcotics trafficking, intensifying ongoing efforts to combat illicit activities and terror financing linked to Nigerian networks.

The sanctions, issued through the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freeze any US-based assets of the designated individuals and entities, while prohibiting Americans from conducting financial transactions with them.

The move coincides with heightened security collaboration between Washington and Abuja, aimed at curbing insurgency, organized crime, and financial crime in Nigeria.

Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT): This category includes prominent figures in Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa (ISWAP), and Ansaru.

Notable names include Boko Haram’s former leader Abubakar Shekau, ISWAP commanders Abu Musab al-Barnawi and Khalid al-Barnawi, and associates alleged to support insurgent operations. Others sanctioned include Salih Yusuf Adamu, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Surajo Abu Bakr Muhammad, Abdurrahman Ado Musa, and Ali Abbas Usman Jega.

The Nigerian branch of the Society for the Revival of Islamic Heritage (RIHS-Nigeria) was also designated for alleged support of extremist activities. Additionally, Fawzi Reda Fawaz was sanctioned for purported Hezbollah-linked operations, while Amigo Supermarket in Abuja faced penalties over alleged financial ties to Iran-aligned networks.

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Cyber-Related Threats (CYBER2): Five Nigerians — Nnamdi Orson Benson, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Micheal Olorunyomi, and Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh — were sanctioned for involvement in significant cyber-enabled fraud schemes targeting global victims.

Specially Designated Narcotics Traffickers (SDNTK): Two individuals, Wole A. Ogungbuyi and Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, were designated for alleged participation in international drug trafficking networks.

Analysts note that the latest sanctions signal US determination to disrupt Nigerian criminal and terror networks beyond domestic law enforcement.

Dr. Chuka Eze, a security analyst based in Abuja, said: “These measures are not just symbolic. Freezing assets and blocking financial networks restrict the operational capacity of terrorists and organized crime groups. It also sends a clear message to facilitators who might be providing financial or logistical support from within Nigeria.”

Cybercrime experts also warned that the CYBER2 designations underscore the growing international scrutiny on Nigerian fraud rings, particularly those exploiting online platforms to defraud global victims. According to Isaac Adeyemi, a Lagos-based digital security consultant:

“Targeting individuals under the CYBER2 framework indicates that US authorities are focusing on sophisticated schemes that leverage the global financial system. It could trigger asset freezes, travel restrictions, and potential extradition requests in some cases.”

Similarly, drug enforcement analysts stressed that the SDNTK sanctions aim to choke off global supply chains for narcotics involving Nigerian nationals.

The US sanctions come amid ongoing security dialogue between Nigeria and Washington, including initiatives to deepen military and intelligence cooperation.

US officials have repeatedly emphasised that coordinated action is necessary to dismantle financing networks that support insurgency, terrorism, and organized crime in West Africa.

While the Nigerian government has yet to issue a formal response, experts say the sanctions could complement domestic efforts such as Operation Hadin Kai, and ongoing anti-fraud, anti-terror, and anti-drug campaigns.

The designations reflect a multipronged approach, targeting individuals and institutions facilitating terror operations, cyber-enabled crimes, and narcotics networks, marking a significant escalation in international enforcement against Nigerian-based criminal activities.