The Federal Government has placed negotiator Tukur Mamu and 47 other individuals and entities on its sanctions list over alleged involvement in terrorism financing and related activities.
Among those listed is Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Okene.
In an updated sanctions list published on the committee’s website on Saturday, authorities linked him to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, in Ondo State, as well as the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Also listed is Mohammed Sani, said to be a member of Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudan (ANSARU), a group linked to Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
According to the statement, Sani was trained under Muktar Belmokhtar, also known as “One Eyed,” and specialised in designing clandestine communication codes and improvised explosive devices. He was also described as a courier and travel facilitator for AQIM operatives in Algeria and Mali, and reportedly escaped during the Kuje prison break in July 2022.
Another individual, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, was also named as a senior ISWAP commander in Okene.
The group, according to the statement, emerged in 2012 as the North-Central wing of Boko Haram and later aligned with ISWAP following leadership changes in 2016. It has been linked to attacks in and around the Federal Capital Territory and South-West Nigeria, including the Owo church attack.
Fatima Ishaq was listed as a financial courier for ISWAP in Okene, allegedly responsible for disbursing funds to widows and families of fighters.
The government further accused Mamu of involvement in terrorism financing, alleging he received and delivered ransom payments exceeding $200,000 for the release of hostages abducted during the Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
The statement read in part: “He participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments exceeding $200,000 in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja–Kaduna train attack.”
Yusuf Ghazali was also named for allegedly transferring ₦20 million in 2015 to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and ₦40 million to Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, both described as convicted individuals.
Authorities further stated that Abubakar Adamu received ₦189 million from Ghazali between 2016 and 2018 and maintained financial links with the group’s leader, Alhaji Saidu Ahmed.
Ghazali was also accused of owning entities referenced in a United Arab Emirates court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.
Another suspect, Usama Muhammad, was said to have received ₦57 million from Yawale Muhammad between 2014 and 2017 and maintained transactions with Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and Saidu Ahmed.
The sanctions list also includes several other individuals, among them Abubakar Muhammad, Allamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogumu Kewe.
Entities listed include Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (ANSARU), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group, and Yan Group NLBDG.
Background checks show that in May 2025, the Nigeria Sanctions Committee had earlier designated 17 individuals and organisations over alleged terrorism financing, including Simon Ekpa, Godstime Promise Iyare, Francis Mmaduabuchi, John Onwumere, Chukwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chinwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ebere Ifeoma Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, Ogumu Kewe, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company and the Lakurawa Group.
