Federal Government sanctions 48 individuals and entities for alleged terrorism financing

The Federal Government has placed 48 individuals and entities, including negotiator Tukur Mamu, on its sanctions list for alleged involvement in terrorism financing and related activities. Among those named are Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province ISWAP in Okene, linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja. Mohammed Sani, a member of Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam ANSARU, associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb AQIM, was also listed, described as a specialist in clandestine communication codes and improvised explosive devices, and reported to have escaped during the Kuje prison break. Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, another senior ISWAP commander in Okene, was named, with the group linked to attacks around the Federal Capital Territory and the South-West. Fatima Ishaq was listed as a financial courier to ISWAP Okene, allegedly disbursing funds to widows and families of fighters. Tukur Mamu is accused of participating in terrorism financing by receiving and delivering ransom payments exceeding $200,000 to ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. Yusuf Ghazali was named for allegedly transferring N20 million and N40 million to identified convicts, and for owning entities referenced in a UAE court judgment as facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Ni