The United States has imposed sanctions on a Nigerian national and several businesses allegedly involved in financing the Islamic State (ISIS) through cross-border money transfer operations. In a statement released on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott announced that three individuals and six entities had been sanctioned for their alleged roles in facilitating ISIS funding networks operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.
According to the statement, the network spans multiple countries, including France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
Pigott said the designated individuals include a France-based operative accused of supplying information on explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based facilitator who allegedly used cryptocurrency to move funds to ISIS-linked associates in several countries, including the United States, and a Nigerian-based operator whose bureau de change businesses were allegedly used to transfer money for the terrorist group.
The US government subsequently identified the sanctioned individuals and companies under its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list.
Among those sanctioned is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, a Nigerian national linked to ISIS-West Africa. US authorities allege that his financial activities and money exchange businesses were used to facilitate transactions on behalf of the terrorist organisation.
Three Nigerian companies were also added to the SDN list. They are Generation Currency Bureau de Change Limited in Lagos, Manhattan Bureau de Change Limited in Kano, and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau de Change Limited in Ikeja, Lagos State. US authorities said the firms are connected to Muhammad and were involved in the movement of funds within the ISIS financial network.
The sanctions also target Boukich Abdelhakim, a Syria-based individual with Dutch nationality accused of coordinating cryptocurrency transactions for ISIS, and Miloud Abderrhamane, a French national alleged to have provided technical support and information related to explosives.
Reaffirming Washington’s commitment to combating terrorism financing, Pigott stated that the United States would continue to pursue diplomatic and legal actions against ISIS and its supporters worldwide.
“The United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters worldwide,” he said.
