The United States Treasury has frozen the assets of eight Nigerians linked to Boko Haram and ISIL, following recent congressional calls for sanctions against high-profile individuals over religious freedom violations.
The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerian nationals accused of maintaining ties to Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Detailed in a 3,000-page document released on February 10, 2026, the “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List” identifies these individuals as significant security threats. Beyond terrorism, the document also flags persons involved in cybercrime-related offenses, serving as a comprehensive tool for international law enforcement to block interests under U.S. jurisdiction.
This federal action follows a series of sharp recommendations from the U.S. Congress, which recently advocated for visa bans and asset freezes against Nigerian entities accused of persecuting Christians and violating religious freedoms. Among those specifically recommended by lawmakers for such restrictions are the former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as well as the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and Miyetti Allah Kautal. The move signals an intensifying effort by Washington to use financial and travel sanctions as leverage against those perceived to be fueling regional instability or human rights abuses.
The OFAC document acts as a formal notice that all property and interests of the named Specially Designated Nationals are now blocked as part of a broader counter-terrorism strategy. By making these names public, the U.S. government aims to disrupt the financial networks that support extremist groups in West Africa. The report emphasizes that these actions are necessary to curb the influence of organizations that continue to pose a threat to both Nigerian and international security, stating that the list serves as a primary “reference tool” for global financial institutions to ensure compliance with U.S. sanctions law.
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