US sanctions eight Nigerians over terror links 

The US government has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians for alleged links to terrorist organisations and cybercrime.

The action was taken through the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control and appears on a 3,000-page sanctions list that includes individuals from other countries.

According to the document, the affected Nigerians have been linked to terrorist organisations that threaten global security, such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Those named include Salih Yusuf Adamu, accused of funding Boko Haram; Babestan Ademulero; and Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al Barnawi, linked to terrorism.

Abu Musab Al Barnawi, Khaled Al Barnawi and Ibrahim Ali Alhassan are also linked to Boko Haram. Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Al Mainuki is linked to ISIL, and Nnamdi Benson is accused of cybercrime.

It is unclear whether the indicted persons have any assets in the US for the government to freeze.

Aside from freezing their assets, the OFAC designation bars all US persons and entities from transacting with these individuals.

The designation comes amid calls by top US officials for sanctions on individuals linked to terrorism and religious violence in Nigeria.

Some US lawmakers have called for sanctions on Rabiu Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, for alleged violations of religious freedom, even though no evidence has been presented against him. However, Kwankwaso’s name did not appear on the list released on Monday.

The lawmakers’ bill also targeted Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore and Fulani ethnic nomad militias in Nigeria.

The bill also demanded that Secretary of State Marco Rubio provide an annual report on Christian persecution and weigh whether US assistance in Nigeria encourages Christian persecution. The US government and officials have repeatedly claimed there is Christian persecution in Nigeria despite evidence to the contrary.

The bill stated that the Nigerian government “should thoroughly investigate instances of penalties or imprisonment under blasphemy laws or Sharia law and work to end these practices and repeal such laws.”

It declared that religious violence and the actions of militant groups in Nigeria are a threat to US national security and foreign policy interests, stating that this “destabilises a strategically important region, jeopardises religious freedom rights, and exacerbates the threat environment facing West Africa.”