US blacklists Nigerian, firms over ISIS funding
US President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Air Force One at Geneva Airport en route to Versailles after attending the G7 summit, in Geneva on June 17, 2026. (Photo by MARTIAL TREZZINI / POOL / AFP)
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The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.
They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.
In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.
According to the statement, the Nigerian is Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria;
Muhammad, born on August 2, 1990, with passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] was linked to ISIS West Africa.
According to the statement, one of the firms indicted is Generation Currency Bureau de Change Limited, RC 1555604, linked to Mukhtar Adamu and the ISIS network.
The two other firms are Manhattan Bureau de Change Limited, No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, RC 1763824, linked to Mukhtar Adamu and the ISIS network and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau de Change Limited, Ikeja, Lagos State, with RC 1462752, also linked to Mukhtar Adamu and the ISIS network.
Pigott described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“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 further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.
Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.
The U.S. reaffirmed its “strong partnership with Nigeria,” which joined the United States in the May 16, 2026, operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, described as the number two official in ISIS.
Pigott said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters worldwide.
“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.
The action, according to the statement, was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended.
It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist organisation in 2004.
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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