US Slaps Sanctions on Boko Haram, ISIS Figures as Military Cooperation with Nigeria Deepens

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions on individuals and entities linked to extremist groups, cybercrime, and narcotics trafficking, in a move that coincides with expanding military cooperation between Washington and Nigeria.

The measures, administered by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), designate individuals and organisations under specialised categories including Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT), cyber-related threats (CYBER2), and the Specially Designated Narcotics Trafficking Kingpin (SDNTK) framework.

Boko Haram, ISIS-Affiliated Figures Targeted

Among those sanctioned were key figures associated with Boko Haram, the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Ansaru — groups responsible for years of insurgency in Nigeria’s North-East.

Individuals listed under the SDGT regime include former Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, ISIS-linked commanders Abu Musab al-Barnawi and Khalid al-Barnawi, as well as several alleged associates tied to insurgent networks.

Others named in the sanctions list include Salih Yusuf Adamu, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, Surajo Abu Bakr Muhammad, Abdurrahman Ado Musa, and Ali Abbas Usman Jega.

The Nigerian branch of the Society for the Revival of Islamic Heritage (RIHS-Nigeria) was also designated over alleged support for extremist operations.

In addition, the US Treasury sanctioned Fawzi Reda Fawaz for alleged links to Hezbollah-related activities and designated Amigo Supermarket in Abuja over claims of financial connections to Iran-aligned networks.

Cybercrime and Narcotics Designations

In a separate action under the CYBER2 regime, five Nigerians — Nnamdi Orson Benson, Abiola Ayorinde Kayode, Alex Afolabi Ogunshakin, Micheal Olorunyomi, and Richard Izuchukwu Uzuh — were listed for their alleged involvement in large-scale cyber-enabled fraud schemes.

Two others, Wole A. Ogungbuyi and Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, were designated under the SDNTK framework for alleged roles in international drug trafficking operations.

Expanded US-Nigeria Military Collaboration

The sanctions come amid deepening military ties between both countries aimed at countering violent extremist threats.

In December 2025, US forces carried out precision strikes against Islamic State-aligned militants in Sokoto State. Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters confirmed the operation as part of broader joint counter-terror efforts.

Since then, additional American personnel — reportedly including about 100 troops — have been deployed to Nigeria under intelligence support and training mandates. The deployments, which included military equipment deliveries in early February 2026, are focused on capacity building and professional military education.

Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters has maintained that the partnership respects national sovereignty and centres on intelligence sharing, logistics support, and training rather than unilateral US intervention.

The growing security cooperation follows earlier diplomatic tensions between the two countries, including US concerns over religious violence and congressional inquiries into insecurity in Nigeria.