The list, published on Saturday by the (NIGSAC), marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the financial networks sustaining insurgency and violent extremism.
The action is backed by the provisions of the , which empowers authorities to identify, designate, and impose sanctions on individuals and organisations suspected of supporting terrorism through financial means.
Among the most notable names on the list are and , both of whom have previously been linked by authorities to activities considered detrimental to national security. Their inclusion underscores the government’s broadened focus on high-profile actors and alleged financiers operating both within and outside Nigeria.
Also listed are dozens of other individuals suspected of playing various roles in the financing chain, ranging from direct sponsorship to logistics coordination and facilitation of illicit financial flows. The identities span different regions, reflecting what authorities describe as a wide and complex network of financial support systems sustaining terrorist operations.
In addition to individuals, the sanctions list includes entities tied to extremist movements, notably the (IPOB), , and . These groups have long been associated with violent campaigns, including attacks, kidnappings, and insurgent activities in different parts of the country.
Under the sanctions regime, all financial institutions and relevant authorities are mandated to immediately freeze the assets and bank accounts of those listed without prior notice. The directive also requires enhanced monitoring of transactions linked to the affected persons and organisations, as well as compulsory reporting of any suspicious dealings.
The implementation of these measures is being coordinated in collaboration with the , which serves as the secretariat of NIGSAC and plays a central role in tracking illicit financial flows and ensuring compliance with both domestic and international counter-terrorism financing standards.
Officials say the move aligns Nigeria with global best practices, particularly frameworks established by the United Nations and international anti-money laundering bodies aimed at combating terrorism financing.
Security analysts view the development as a strategic shift from focusing solely on armed insurgents to targeting the financial backbone that enables their operations. By cutting off access to funds, the government aims to weaken the operational capacity of terrorist groups and disrupt their ability to recruit, procure weapons, and sustain attacks.
However, authorities have emphasized that those named on the list are “allegedly linked” to terrorism financing, noting that designation does not automatically amount to criminal conviction. Affected individuals and entities retain the right to challenge their inclusion through legal channels.
The release of the sanctions list comes amid renewed security efforts and ongoing prosecutions of terrorism-related cases across the country. Observers believe it could trigger further investigations, arrests, and international cooperation in tracking cross-border financial networks.
Below are verified entries from the released sanctions list:
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
Mohammed Buba
(List continues to 48 individuals as published by NIGSAC)
The list also includes already proscribed terrorist organisations such as:
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)
Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)
Ansaru
