The United States government has officially sanctioned Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, a 35-year-old Lagos-based individual accused of financing ISIS operations. Alongside him, the U.S. Treasury Department targeted three specific bureaux de change firms linked to his activities. This move is part of a wider international effort to disrupt the financial infrastructure supporting ISIS across the Middle East, Europe, and West Africa.
These sanctions were implemented under Executive Order 13224. Officials in Washington stated that this network facilitated funding for terror attacks, supported regional affiliates, and posed a significant threat to civilians and religious minorities. The designated businesses include Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, both located in Lagos, as well as Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, which operates out of Kano.
Since 2022, the U.S. has sanctioned ten Nigerian nationals for their alleged roles in terrorism financing. These latest designations freeze any assets held in the U.S. and strictly prohibit any transactions between American citizens and the identified individuals or entities. The U.S. government highlighted its ongoing commitment to collaborating with international partners, including Nigeria, to eliminate financial lifelines that sustain extremist groups.
Spokesperson Thomas Pigott noted that the U.S. continues to apply pressure as ISIS shifts toward decentralized financial systems. By targeting money exchange services and digital currency conduits, the U.S. aims to isolate terrorist groups from the global financial system. The U.S. also reiterated its support for Nigeria, citing recent cooperative operations against high-ranking ISIS officials as evidence of a strong counter-terrorism partnership.
