BREAKING: US Identifies Alleged Terrorist Financier Operating in Nigeria, Others

The United States government has identified an alleged terrorist financier operating in Nigeria alongside other individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.

The individuals have been designated as financial facilitators for activities linked to the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In a statement issued on Monday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott announced that the new sanctions target three individuals and six entities accused of moving funds to support ISIS operations globally.

The actions reflect an aggressive push by the American government to choke off the international cash flows that keep terror networks alive.

Pigott stated, “Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world. We are cutting off the financial lifelines from around the world that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities.”

According to the report, the newly exposed financial network stretches across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria, operating as a cross-border money pipeline for the terror group.

“Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders – exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria,” the statement added.

“Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries, including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing.”

It reads in full:

Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world. We are cutting off the financial lifelines from around the world that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities.

Today’s designations target three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa who have enabled ISIS to move money across borders – exposing a network that spans from France and Syria to Türkiye and Nigeria.

These actions reflect the United States’ unrelenting pressure on ISIS, which continues to decentralize its operations and rely on financial intermediaries to connect its global network. Among those designated is a France-based facilitator who provided information concerning the use of explosives to ISIS supporters, a Syria-based operator who used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in multiple countries including the United States, and a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses served as conduits for ISIS financing.

The United States also reaffirms its strong partnership with Nigeria, which joined the United States in the May 16, 2026, operation that resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, the number two official in ISIS.

We will continue to use every diplomatic and legal tool available to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable – wherever they operate and however they move money. We remain fully committed to protecting American lives, defending religious minorities, and working with international partners to eliminate the threat that ISIS poses to global peace and security.

Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the counterterrorism authority, Executive Order (E.O.) 13224, as amended. The U.S. Department of State designated ISIS, then known by its former name of al-Qa’ida in Iraq, as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) pursuant to E.O. 13224 on October 15, 2004, and as a Foreign Terrorist Organization pursuant to section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act on December 17, 2004. More information on today’s designations can be found in Treasury’s Press Releases.