Terrorists
United States (US) government has named a Nigerian businessman and three Nigeria-based companies among individuals and entities sanctioned for allegedly facilitating financial transactions linked to the terrorist group, Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The latest sanctions, announced by the U.S. Department of State, targeted a network of three individuals and six companies spread across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa, accused of helping ISIS move funds across international borders.
In a statement issued by the Department’s spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, the U.S. said the action was aimed at disrupting financial channels used by the terrorist organisation to support its operations globally.
According to Pigott, the sanctions affect persons and businesses operating in France, Syria, 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.
“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 Nigerian identified in the sanctions list is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, also known as Mukhtar Adamu and Muhammad Mukhtar. U.S. authorities listed him as operating from Agege, Lagos State.
Three Nigerian companies were also included in the sanctions list. They are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Lagos; Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, Ikeja, Lagos; and Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, Kano.
According to the U.S. Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, the companies were allegedly linked to Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad and an ISIS financing network.
Other entities sanctioned include Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi and Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi, both based in Türkiye, as well as Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange in Syria.
The U.S. government said the measures were taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended, which authorises sanctions against terrorists and those providing support to terrorist organisations.
The statement also highlighted ongoing security cooperation between Washington and Abuja in the fight against terrorism.
Pigott noted that Nigeria joined the United States in the May 16, 2026 operation that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by U.S. authorities as the second-highest-ranking official within ISIS.
Reaffirming Washington’s commitment to counterterrorism efforts, Pigott said:
“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.”
ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation by the United States in 2004.
The latest sanctions impose restrictions on the designated individuals and entities and are intended to cut off access to the international financial system while disrupting channels allegedly used to fund terrorist activities.
