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The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three Nigerian companies as alleged financial facilitators linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The latest sanctions target three individuals and six companies accused of helping to move funds for ISIS operations across several regions.
In a statement issued on Monday and seen on Tuesday, US Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the designations cover individuals and businesses operating in France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria. He described the network as one that enables ISIS to transfer money across international borders.
“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, exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing,” the statement added.
The US later released the identities of the three individuals and six companies placed on the sanctions list.
The Nigerian national named is Mukhtar Adamu, while the three Nigerian companies listed 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 Lagos.
The remaining entities are based in Türkiye and Syria.
The United States reaffirmed its “strong partnership with Nigeria,” noting that both countries participated in the May 16, 2026, operation that killed Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the second-highest-ranking ISIS official.
Pigott said Washington would continue using diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and those who support the group worldwide.
The statement said the sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, has been designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation since 2004.
