Trump Govt Names Lagos-Based Nigerian As ISIS Financier

The United States Government has named a Lagos-based man, Muhammad Mukhtar Adamu, as a Nigerian ISIS financier, accusing him of using bureau de change companies in Nigeria to facilitate money transfers for ISIS-West Africa.

The designation was announced by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, OFAC, as part of a fresh counter-terrorism action by the Trump Administration against individuals and businesses allegedly linked to ISIS financial networks across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa.

According to Washington, three individuals and six entities were sanctioned for enabling ISIS to move funds across borders in support of its operations and regional affiliates.

The U.S. said the action was aimed at cutting off financial channels used by ISIS to plan attacks, sustain its affiliates and threaten civilians, including religious minorities.

Adamu, identified by OFAC as Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, was listed as an ISIS-West Africa financial facilitator. The U.S. authorities said he had conducted money transfers on behalf of ISIS-WA.

OFAC gave the address of the Nigerian ISIS financier as No. 45, Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, by Morcas, Agege, Lagos State. He was listed as a Nigerian national born on August 2, 1990, with an alternative date of birth of August 3, 1990.

The U.S. also sanctioned three Nigeria-based money service businesses said to be owned, controlled or directed by Adamu. They are Nine To Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, located at Block 7, FAAN Complex, Airport Road, Ikeja, Lagos; Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, No. 59 Murtala Mohammad Way, Wapa, Kano; and Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Lagos.

OFAC said Nine To Nine Exchange was established on August 22, 2017, with Registration Number RC 1462752, while Manhattan Bureau De Change was established on January 26, 2021, with Registration Number RC 1763824. Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited was established on January 9, 2019, with Registration Number RC 1555604.

Two other individuals were also named in the designations. They are Abderrahmane Miloud, also known as Ghazi Ibrahim, a French national accused of conducting transactions with ISIS-linked persons and providing explosives-related information to ISIS supporters; and Abdelhakim Boukich, also known as Babili Muhammad, described as an extremist financial facilitator based in Syria who controlled a Bitcoin exchange used for ISIS-linked transfers.

The U.S. Treasury said ISIS has increasingly relied on decentralised cells, regional affiliates and financial intermediaries following sustained counter-terrorism pressure.

The designation also came weeks after the United States and Nigeria cooperated in the operation that led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described by Washington as the number two official in ISIS and head of its General Directorate of Provinces.

The U.S. said all property and interests in property of the designated persons and entities within U.S. jurisdiction are now blocked. American citizens and entities are also generally prohibited from dealing with them.

The Treasury Department warned that financial institutions and other persons who conduct transactions with those sanctioned could also be exposed to penalties or secondary sanctions.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said ISIS was still seeking new ways to finance attacks, adding that the United States would continue to use available tools to crush what remains of the group’s capabilities and protect American lives.