The United States government has imposed sanctions on a Nigeria-based money exchange operator, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, over allegations that he facilitated financial transactions for the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), an affiliate of ISIS.
According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Muhammad allegedly conducted money transfers on behalf of ISWAP and controlled several money service businesses used in the movement of funds linked to the terrorist group. The sanctions also target three Nigerian bureau de change companies reportedly associated with him: Generation Currency Bureau de Change Limited, Manhattan Bureau de Change Limited, and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau de Change Limited.
The Treasury Department stated that the action is part of broader efforts to disrupt terrorist financing networks operating across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. U.S. authorities said the designated individuals and entities played roles in facilitating financial transactions that supported ISIS operations.
Under the sanctions, any assets belonging to the affected individuals and entities that fall within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, while American citizens and businesses are generally prohibited from conducting transactions with them. The measures are intended to weaken the financial infrastructure supporting terrorist organisations and prevent further movement of funds linked to extremist activities.
The U.S. Treasury noted that the sanctions reflect ongoing cooperation between the United States and Nigeria in efforts to counter terrorism and disrupt financial networks that support violent extremist groups.
