By Innocent Odoh and Tarkaa David, Abuja
Nigerian security experts and those versed in international relations have expressed concerns over the United States’ designation of a Nigerian national and other individuals and entities as alleged financiers of the Islamic State’s (ISIS) operations around the world.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by a spokesman for the United States Department of State, Thomas Pigott, who stressed that the Nigerian, other nationals and entities funding activities linked to the terrorist organisation cut across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa.
“Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’ 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,” the statement said.
One of the suspects from Nigeria was identified as Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. Adamu, Mukhtar; Mukhtar, Muhammad) of No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas, Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria.
His date of birth was given as 2 August 1990 (alt. 3 August 1990), with passport Nos. A11904741 and A07422697 (SDGT). He is allegedly linked to ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP).
Adamu is also the operator of Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Lagos, Nigeria (RC 1555604).
He also operates Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria (RC 1763824).
The terror suspect also operates Nine-To-Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria (RC 1462752).
According to the statement, the designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye and Nigeria, describing the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.
“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.
“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 statement added.
Reacting to this disclosure, public intellectual Dr Katch Ononuju said the ISIS global terrorist network, with its jihadist agenda, had its franchise in Nigeria and was using its local agents in the country to facilitate the movement of funds for terrorists.
He expressed concern about the danger this poses to the country, especially as the terrorists are alleged to have infiltrated Nigeria’s security architecture, including its financial ecosystem.
In his contribution, retired diplomat and security expert Prof Uche Mbanaso said: “This is too bad for Nigeria, adding to its already fragile reputation. Although it is common knowledge that some individuals are funding terrorism in Nigeria and beyond, I think what is important is to find out the motivation and decisively deal with the individuals identified because the sponsors are the lifeblood of terrorism.”
International constitutional law expert Livingstone Wechie decried the situation, stressing that it exposes the leadership challenges that have characterised the management of terrorism in Nigeria and the failure to nip it in the bud.
He said, “Nigeria ranks as the fourth most terrorism-impacted country globally, according to the Global Terrorism Index 2026. The country recorded a significant upsurge in extremist violence, with fatalities rising by 46 per cent to 750 deaths.”
Speaking with LEADERSHIP on the matter, the Managing Director of Beacon Security and Intelligence Limited, Kabir Adamu, said the identified Nigerian would face consequences as an individual and that the nation should not bear the blame.
He explained that the individual involved and his three firms had been identified by US authorities, even though the statement did not specify the particular activities involved.
A former Director of the Department of State Services, Barr. Mike Ejiofor, commended the identification of terror financiers and called on the Nigerian government to fully cooperate in their prosecution to retain global trust in the fight against terrorism.
