By Micah Jonah
February 16, 2026
The United States has frozen the assets of over 20 Nigerians and several organizations accused of ties to Boko Haram, Ansaru, ISIL affiliates, and cybercrime, according to an updated 3,000-page list from the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
Key individuals sanctioned include Khalid al‑Barnawi, linked to Boko Haram; Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram leader; Abu Musab al‑Barnawi, Boko Haram affiliate; and Abu Bakr al‑Mainuki, linked to ISIL. Several others were designated for involvement in Boko Haram or cybercrime activities.
Organizations based in Nigeria that are sanctioned include Boko Haram and Ansaru as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), ISIS-West Africa (ISIS-WA), and commercial entities such as Amigo Supermarket Ltd, Kafak Enterprises Ltd, and Wonderland Amusement Park and Resort Ltd, which are linked to designated individuals.
The sanctions block all property, interests of these individuals and entities within US jurisdiction under Executive Order 13224. US persons are prohibited from conducting transactions with them.
These actions align with US efforts to counter terrorism financing, cyber threats, violations of religious freedom, including the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Recent US congressional recommendations also called for visa bans and asset freezes on figures like former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso and certain Fulani organizations.
OFAC emphasizes that the list serves as a reference tool to assist the public in complying with US sanctions programmes.
