The United States has frozen the assets and properties of eight Nigerians accused of having ties to the Islamic extremist groups Boko Haram and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The announcement was contained in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, released by the US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) and reviewed by correspondents on Monday.
The document also identified individuals sanctioned for cybercrime-related offences and other security threats. The pronouncement follows recent recommendations by the US Congress for visa bans and asset freezes targeting persons and groups accused of violating religious freedom and persecuting Christians in Nigeria. Among those cited were former Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal, who were recommended for visa restrictions and asset freezes.
Titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” the OFAC document serves as a reference tool detailing individuals of other nationalities and entities whose assets have been blocked. It also provides official notice of actions taken against Specially Designated Nationals, whose property and interests are frozen as part of ongoing counter-terrorism and security measures.
The United States emphasized that these measures are intended to disrupt financial networks supporting terrorism and to hold accountable those allegedly involved in human rights violations and threats to regional security.
