The United States government has named a Nigerian citizen and three Nigeria-based companies among individuals and businesses newly sanctioned for allegedly facilitating financial transactions linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
The designations form part of a broader crackdown targeting an international network accused of moving funds for the terrorist organisation across multiple regions, including Europe, the Middle East and West Africa.
In the latest sanctions action, Washington identified three individuals and six entities it claims played various roles in supporting ISIS-linked financial operations and cross-border fund transfers.
Announcing the measures, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the operation targeted actors spread across France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria, describing them as part of a network used to channel resources to the terrorist 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.
“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.
In a subsequent disclosure released on Monday, U.S. authorities published the identities of all individuals and companies affected by the sanctions.
The Nigerian listed in the sanctions notice was identified as Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, also known as Mukhtar Adamu and Muhammad Mukhtar. U.S. authorities linked him to ISIS-West Africa and alleged that several businesses associated with him were used in financial transactions benefiting the extremist organisation.
The sanctions also extended to three Nigerian-registered Bureau De Change operators. Two of the companies are based in Lagos State, while one operates from Kano State.
The Nigerian firms named in the sanctions list are Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited and Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited.
Other entities sanctioned under the action 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 also highlighted ongoing security cooperation with Nigeria, noting that both countries worked together during a military operation conducted on May 16, 2026, which reportedly led to the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by American authorities as ISIS’s second-in-command.
Pigott stressed that the United States would continue deploying all available diplomatic and legal mechanisms to disrupt terrorist financing and dismantle support structures aiding ISIS 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. 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,” he said.
According to the statement, the sanctions were imposed pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, a framework used by the U.S. government to target individuals and organisations accused of involvement in terrorism.
The statement further noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was formally designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation in 2004.
Individuals Designated by the United States
– Abdelhakim Boukich (also known as Abu Sulayman Alholandi and Muhammad Babili) – Netherlands/Syria
– Miloud Abderrahmane (also known as Ibrahim Ghazi) – France
– Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad (also known as Mukhtar Adamu and Muhammad Mukhtar) – Nigeria
Entities Added to the Sanctions List
– Alkaram Danismanlik Gayrimenkul Ic ve Dis Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi – Türkiye
– Bitcoin Exchange Agent Idlib’s No.1 Coin Exchange – Syria
– Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited – Nigeria
– Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited – Nigeria
– Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited – Nigeria
– Spider Gayrimenkul ve Genel Ticaret Limited Sirketi – Türkiye
(Ripples)