The United States has sanctioned a Nigerian national and three Nigeria-based companies accused of helping finance the terrorist group ISIS through an international money-transfer network spanning Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
The designations were announced as part of a broader U.S. action targeting three individuals and six entities allegedly involved in facilitating financial transactions for ISIS operations worldwide.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the Nigerian national identified is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, who authorities claim is linked to ISIS-West Africa. The sanctions also target three Nigerian currency exchange businesses allegedly connected to him: 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.
U.S. officials allege that these businesses were used as financial channels to move funds on behalf of the terrorist organization, helping ISIS transfer money across borders and support its activities.
The State Department said the latest sanctions expose a global network of facilitators operating in countries including France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria. Among those targeted are a France-based operative accused of providing bomb-making information to ISIS supporters and a Syria-based facilitator alleged to have used cryptocurrency to transfer funds for ISIS-linked associates in several countries, including the United States.
Washington described the Nigerian suspect’s money-exchange businesses as key conduits in the movement of funds tied to ISIS financing.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, a U.S. counterterrorism measure used to target individuals and organizations linked to terrorist activities. Such designations typically result in the freezing of any assets under U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit Americans from conducting business with those named.
The United States also reaffirmed its security partnership with Nigeria, highlighting joint counterterrorism efforts between the two countries. U.S. officials referenced a recent operation conducted with Nigerian authorities that reportedly led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as a senior ISIS leader.
The State Department said it remains committed to disrupting terrorist financing networks worldwide and will continue using diplomatic, legal, and financial tools to pursue ISIS operatives and their supporters wherever they operate.
ISIS, originally known as al-Qaeda in Iraq, has been designated by the United States as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organization since 2004.
