The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in Nigeria as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), in a wider sanctions move targeting individuals and entities accused of funding the terrorist group.
In the latest action, a total of three individuals and six entities across France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria were sanctioned for allegedly enabling the movement of funds for ISIS operations worldwide.
In a statement issued on Monday and seen on Tuesday, US Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the network facilitated cross-border financial flows for the group.
“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 added that those designated included a France-based facilitator who allegedly provided information on the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator accused of using cryptocurrency to transfer funds for ISIS associates across multiple countries, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses allegedly served as conduits for ISIS financing.
The US later released the identities of the individuals and entities named in the sanctions list.
Among them is Nigerian national Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, listed as residing in Lagos State, alongside two other individuals based in Syria and France.
Three of the six designated companies are also based in Nigeria, located in Lagos and Kano, according to the statement.
Full list of designated individuals (SDN)
The individuals listed as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) include:
- ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. Abu Sulayman Alholandi), Syria; born 15 December 1993 (also listed as 1 January 1991); linked to ISIS.
- ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. Ibrahim Ghazi), France; born August 1992; linked to ISIS.
- MUHAMMAD, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. Mukhtar Adamu Adamu), Lagos State, Nigeria; born 2 August 1990 (also 3 August 1990); linked to ISIS-West Africa.
Designated entities
The sanctioned entities include companies based in Türkiye, Syria, Lagos and Kano, among them:
- Alkharam Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Türkiye)
- Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange (Syria)
- Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited (Lagos, Nigeria)
- Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited (Kano, Nigeria)
- Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited (Lagos, Nigeria)
- Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi (Türkiye)
The US said the Nigerian entities are linked to Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad’s alleged ISIS-West Africa financing network.
Washington also reaffirmed its partnership with Nigeria, noting its cooperation in a May 16, 2026 operation that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as ISIS’s second-in-command.
Pigott said the United States would continue to deploy diplomatic and legal tools against ISIS and its supporters globally.
“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,” he said.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, as amended. ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation in 2004.
