April 11, (THEWILL) — In a major step to curb terrorism financing and strengthen national security, the Federal Government has released a sanctions list containing the names of 48 individuals and 12 entities identified as alleged sponsors and financiers of terrorism in the country.
The list, published on Saturday on the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NIGSAC) website and seen by THEWILL, forms part of a broader strategy to dismantle financial networks that sustain violent extremism and criminal activities across Nigeria.
Those listed include Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman, Fatima Ishaq, Tukur Mamu, Yusuf Ghazali, Muhammad Sani, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Abdurrahaman Ado, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Muhammad Isah, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail and Mohammed Buba.
Others are Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, Rabiu Suleiman, Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie and Ogumu Kewe.
Also listed are entities and organisations identified as part of the alleged financing network. These include West and East Africa General Trading Co. Ltd, Settings Bureau De Change Ltd, G. Side General Enterprises, Desert Exchange Ventures Limited, Eagle Square General Trading Co. Ltd, Alfa Exchange BDC, Alin Yar Yaya General Enterprises, K. Are Nigeria Limited, Suhailah Bashir General Enterprises, Igwe Ka Ala Enterprises, Seficuvi Global Company and Lakurawa Sect.
In addition, the broader sanctions framework references groups such as Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru), Islamic State West Africa Province and Indigenous People of Biafra, among others identified in the database.
The sanctions were issued through Nigeria’s National Sanctions Committee, established under the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, and aligned with global standards set by the United Nations Security Council. Under the regime, affected individuals and organisations are subjected to asset freezes, travel restrictions, and other financial limitations designed to cut off access to resources that could support terrorism and weapons proliferation.
These measures are binding on all financial institutions and entities operating within Nigeria, which are required to enforce compliance and report suspicious transactions.
The development comes amid intensified efforts by the government to tackle insecurity across the country. Insurgency linked to groups such as Boko Haram continues to pose a major threat, alongside evolving challenges from banditry and transnational extremist networks like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin.
In response, the Federal Government has expanded its counter-terrorism strategy, including the designation of bandit groups as terrorist organisations and the scaling up of intelligence-led operations nationwide.
The sanctions list also comes at a time when Nigeria is conducting one of its largest terrorism prosecution exercises, with over 500 suspects currently facing trial. So far, 386 convictions have been secured, reflecting growing capacity within the justice system to handle complex terrorism-related cases.
While stakeholders have continued to emphasise the need for due process and respect for human rights, officials insist that the combined approach of sanctions, prosecutions, and enhanced security coordination is yielding tangible progress.
Authorities maintain that targeting the financial lifelines of terrorist groups remains critical to restoring peace, stabilising affected regions, and reinforcing national security across the country.
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