Boko Haram is a violent Nigeria-based terrorist group engaged in a years-long campaign to overthrow the Nigerian Government and replace it with a system of its own strict interpretation of Islamic law. From its base in northeastern Nigeria, since 2009 the group has conducted attacks in neighboring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger. Boko Haram is infamous for using extreme violence and brutality and has caused thousands of deaths, displaced millions of people, and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad region.
Just like any other terrorist group, Boko Haram needs money to fund its activities. For that reason, it operates a network of cells whose members are tasked with raising funds.
On March 25, the United States Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, sanctioned six individuals who set up a fund-raising cell in the United Arab Emirates. This action followed the UAE's designations, and conviction by a UAE court of these individuals for supporting terrorism.
Nigerian nationals Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad were added to the List of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons, pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended, for having materially or financially assisted, sponsored, or provided support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Boko Haram.
Last September, these six men stood trial in the United Arab Emirates. They were found guilty of transferring 782,000 dollars from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria. Salihu Yusuf Adamu and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad were sentenced to life imprisonment for violations of UAE anti-terrorism laws, while the other four men received 10-year prison sentences, to be followed by deportation.
OFAC designated these individuals to ensure that none of their funds can be used to further support terrorism.
All property under U.S. jurisdiction in which these men have at least a 50 percent interest is blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.
“With this action, the United States joins the UAE in targeting terrorist financing networks of mutual concern,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson. “Treasury continues to target financial facilitators of terrorist activity worldwide. We welcome multilateral action on this Boko Haram network to ensure that it is not able to move any further funds through the international financial system.”
Boko Haram is infamous for using extreme violence and brutality and has caused thousands of deaths, displaced millions of people, and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad region.
