By Daily Review Online
The United States has sanctioned a Nigeria-based ISIS facilitator and praised Nigeria’s growing partnership in the global fight against terrorism, particularly its role in a recent operation that eliminated a senior leader of the extremist group.
In a statement issued on Monday, the US Department of State announced fresh sanctions against three individuals and six entities operating across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa for allegedly helping the Islamic State (ISIS) move funds across international borders.
According to the statement, one of those targeted was a Nigeria-based facilitator whose money exchange businesses were allegedly used as channels for financing ISIS operations.
The US said the latest measures were aimed at dismantling the terrorist group’s financial network and preventing it from funding attacks and supporting regional affiliates.
“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 said.
The US government also highlighted Nigeria’s contribution to counterterrorism operations, reaffirming its strong partnership with Abuja.
It specifically referenced a joint operation conducted on May 16, 2026, which resulted in the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the second-highest-ranking official in ISIS.
“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,” the statement added.
The US said ISIS has increasingly decentralised its activities and now relies heavily on financial intermediaries to move money and sustain its global operations.
Among those sanctioned were a France-based operative accused of providing information on the use of explosives to ISIS supporters and a Syria-based operator alleged to have used cryptocurrency to transfer funds on behalf of ISIS associates in several countries, including the United States.
Washington said it would continue deploying diplomatic and legal measures to disrupt terrorist financing networks worldwide.
“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,” the statement said.
The sanctions were imposed under Executive Order 13224, the US counterterrorism authority used to designate terrorist organisations and their supporters.
The move comes as Nigeria continues to battle insurgent groups in parts of the North-East and deepen cooperation with international partners to curb terrorism financing and transnational extremist activities.