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US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL, Cybercrime Links

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US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL, Cybercrime Links

The United States government has imposed sweeping asset freezes and financial sanctions on eight Nigerians accused of having links to Boko Haram, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and international cybercrime networks, as part of its expanded counter-terrorism and security measures.

The sanctions were contained in a 3,000-page document dated February 10, released by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the United States Treasury Department. The publication, titled “Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List,” serves as an official notice of individuals and entities whose assets and financial interests have been blocked under US law.

According to the document, the action forms part of Washington’s broader efforts to disrupt terrorism financing, prevent extremist groups from accessing the global financial system, and combat cyber-enabled crime. OFAC stated that the list is designed to assist the public and financial institutions in complying with various US sanctions programmes.

Among those sanctioned is Salih Yusuf Adamu, also known as Salihu Yusuf, born August 23, 1990. He was identified as having ties to Boko Haram and was reported to hold a Nigerian passport. Yusuf was among six Nigerians convicted in 2022 in the United Arab Emirates for establishing a Boko Haram cell and attempting to transfer $782,000 from Dubai to Nigeria to fund insurgent activities.

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Another individual listed is Babestan Oluwole Ademulero, born March 4, 1953, who was designated under terrorism-related sanctions. He appeared in the OFAC document under several aliases, including Wole A. Babestan and Olatunde Irewole Shofeso, reflecting the use of multiple identities linked to extremist networks.

The sanctions also include Abu Abdullah ibn Umar Al-Barnawi, also known as Ba Idrisa, reportedly born between 1989 and 1994 in Maiduguri, Borno State. He was flagged under terrorism-related provisions due to alleged involvement with extremist operations in Nigeria’s North-East.

Abu Musab Al-Barnawi, also referred to as Habib Yusuf, was listed as a senior Boko Haram figure, with his year of birth recorded between 1990 and 1995. He has long been associated with the group’s leadership and violent campaigns in the Lake Chad Basin.

Another name appearing twice in the publication is Khaled (or Khalid) Al-Barnawi, born in 1976 in Maiduguri. He was listed under multiple aliases, including Abu Hafsat and Mohammed Usman, and was linked to Boko Haram’s international support and logistics networks.

Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, born January 31, 1981, was also designated. He was reported to hold a Nigerian passport and reside in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and was accused of providing support to Boko Haram through cross-border financial and operational channels.

Also sanctioned was Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Mainuki, also known as Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, born in 1982 in Mainok, Borno State. He was identified as having ties to ISIL, marking the overlap between local insurgent groups and global jihadist movements.

In addition, Nnamdi Orson Benson, born March 21, 1987, was listed under CYBER2 sanctions for alleged involvement in international cybercrime and financial fraud, underscoring the US focus on digital threats alongside terrorism financing.

The sanctions mean that all property and interests belonging to the designated individuals within US jurisdiction are blocked, while US citizens and businesses are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them. Foreign entities that knowingly assist the sanctioned persons risk facing secondary sanctions.

The latest designations come amid increased pressure from US lawmakers, who recently recommended visa bans and asset freezes against individuals and groups accused of religious freedom violations and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Those earlier recommendations included Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, and Miyetti Allah Kautal, although they were not part of the OFAC sanctions list.

The development also follows the decision by Donald Trump in October 2025 to re-designate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over alleged violations of religious freedom. Nigeria was first placed on the list in 2020 but was later removed by Joe Biden after he assumed office.

Boko Haram was officially designated a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States in 2013. The group has been responsible for thousands of deaths and widespread displacement across Nigeria’s North-East and the Lake Chad Basin since 2009.

US authorities say the latest sanctions reaffirm Washington’s commitment to counter-terrorism, global security, and cybercrime prevention, while sending a strong signal to individuals and networks involved in extremist financing and digital fraud.

US Freezes Assets of Eight Nigerians Over Boko Haram, ISIL, Cybercrime Links

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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

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Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja
Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested a man accused of impersonating a permanent secretary in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) after he was allegedly caught using a forged number plate bearing the inscription “PRESIDENCY”.

The suspect was arrested on October 20, 2026, after police operatives intercepted a Lexus LX570 sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Maitama District, Abuja, at about 8pm.

According to the police, the concealed number plate carried the registration number 10B218 FG.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that the documents presented to support the registration were allegedly forged.

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Adeh said the suspect had claimed to be the legitimate holder of the number plate, prompting further investigations that reportedly uncovered the alleged fraud and impersonation.

“The vehicle and its occupant were promptly arrested for investigation and subsequent prosecution,” the police said.

The command added that investigations were ongoing and that the suspect would be charged to court upon their conclusion.

The police urged residents to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security operatives and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

The arrest comes amid concerns over the unauthorised use of official government and diplomatic number plates in the FCT. Police authorities have previously raised concerns that such plates could be used by unauthorised individuals to evade scrutiny or facilitate criminal activities.

The suspect’s identity has not been publicly disclosed, and the allegations remain subject to the outcome of the police investigation and any subsequent court proceedings.

Police Arrest Man Over Fake Presidency Number Plate in Abuja

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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

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Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

 

Accra, Ghana — A routine breakup escalated into a catastrophic act of arson this week, leaving a young man homeless and his former girlfriend in police custody. The Ghana Police Service has arrested a young woman accused of deliberately setting her boyfriend’s rented apartment on fire after he ended their relationship. The shocking trigger for the split? The woman had answered a phone call on his mobile device without his permission.

 

According to preliminary police investigations, the couple became embroiled in a volatile and heated argument over the breach of privacy. The confrontation spiraled rapidly out of control when the boyfriend, reportedly furious that she had answered his phone, decided to end the relationship on the spot. Rather than accepting the breakup, the woman’s anger reportedly boiled over into a dangerous and premeditated rage.

 

In the aftermath of the breakup, authorities allege that the woman intentionally ignited a fire inside the man’s rented home in an act of vengeance. Eyewitnesses described a scene of sheer chaos as flames rapidly consumed the residence, forcing neighbors to flee and local fire services to be summoned to battle the inferno. Dramatic images from the scene reveal a landscape of utter devastation, with the apartment reduced to a pile of charred debris and twisted metal. While no casualties have been reported, the property damage is extensive, and the young man has effectively lost his home and belongings.

 

The Ghana Police Service acted swiftly following the incident, apprehending the young woman who is now in police custody facing potential charges of arson and destruction of property. Local neighbors have expressed profound shock at the severity of the attack, with one bewildered resident telling reporters, “It is just a phone call. To burn down a whole apartment because you were broken up with? It is a very sad day for us here.” The suspect is expected to be arraigned in court in the coming days as the police finalize their case, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangerous consequences of unchecked anger.

 

Woman Arrested for Torching Ex-Boyfriend’s Home in Fit of Jealous Rage

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Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

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Armed Bandits

Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

 

SOKOTO — In a gruesome escalation of insecurity in the North-West, armed bandits have reportedly intercepted a vehicle and killed all passengers on board along a road leading to the Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to reports, the tragic incident occurred as the vehicle, a commercial transport conveying passengers, was returning from Sokoto city. The assailants, described as heavily armed, ambushed the vehicle, forcing it to a halt before opening fire on the occupants.

The incident was disclosed by Bakatsine, a conflict reporter covering northwestern Nigeria, who shared information about the attack and photographs of some of the deceased . According to the report, some of the victims were reportedly among the 3,000 people recruited by the Sokoto State Government who had been invited to Sokoto city for further screening and the collection of their documents . The passengers were said to have been travelling back home when the armed men intercepted their vehicle and opened fire on them.

The exact number of people killed in the attack has yet to be confirmed, and there has been no official confirmation from Nigerian authorities as of the time of reporting . Although photographs of some of the deceased have circulated following the incident, the total number of victims and their identities have yet to be independently established .

The attack highlights the persistent security challenges plaguing the region, where bandits frequently target highways and rural communities. Isa Local Government Area, which shares a border with Zamfara State, has been a notorious flashpoint for such criminal activities, including kidnapping, cattle rustling, and highway ambushes.

The reported killing also comes amid continuing concerns over attacks on civilians in other parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in communities affected by insurgency and banditry . Residents of the affected area have expressed deep grief and outrage over the continuous loss of lives, urging security agencies to intensify patrols along the Sokoto-Isa road and other vulnerable routes.

When contacted, the Sokoto State Police Command Public Relations Officer promised to provide details of the incident, stating that operatives have been deployed to the area to ascertain the facts and restore normalcy.

The mass killing underscores the urgent need for enhanced security measures to protect travelers and rural dwellers in Sokoto State and the broader North-West region. NewsTrends will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as more information becomes available.

 

Horror in Sokoto: Bandits Intercept Vehicle, Massacre All Passengers Returning from City

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