The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three Nigeria-based companies as alleged financiers of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), expanding its global crackdown on networks accused of facilitating terrorism funding.
The latest sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of State, target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa for allegedly enabling the movement of funds linked to ISIS activities.
In a statement issued on Monday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the coordinated action exposed a transnational financial network stretching from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.
“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,” Pigott said.
He disclosed that the sanctions include a France-based facilitator accused of providing explosives-related information to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operative alleged to have used cryptocurrency to transfer funds across multiple countries, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses allegedly served as channels for financing the terrorist group.
“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.
According to the U.S. government, the Nigerian national identified in the sanctions is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, also known as Mukhtar Adamu or Muhammad Mukhtar, a Lagos resident.
The three Nigerian companies designated are Generation Currency Bureau de Change Limited, based in Lagos; Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau de Change Limited, also in Lagos; and Manhattan Bureau de Change Limited, located in Kano. U.S. authorities alleged that the firms are linked to Mukhtar Adamu and an ISIS financial network.
The sanctions list also includes two companies based in Türkiye, Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi and Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi, as well as Syria’s Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange.
The U.S. government reaffirmed its security partnership with Nigeria, noting that both countries collaborated in the May 16, 2026 operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-in-command of ISIS.
Pigott said Washington would continue deploying diplomatic and legal measures to dismantle ISIS networks and their financial supporters across the world.
“We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable — wherever they operate and however they move money. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security,” he said.
The designations were made under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which authorises sanctions against individuals and entities linked to terrorism.
ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, has been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation since 2004.
[THE PUNCH]
