The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.

In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.

He described 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.

In a further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.

Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.

Full List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)

ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

MUHAMMAD, Mukhtar Adamu (a.k.a. ADAMU, Mukhtar; MUKHTAR, Muhammad); No. 45 Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morcas Agege, Lagos State, Nigeria; DOB 02 Aug 1990 (alt. 03 Aug 1990); nationality Nigeria; male; Passport Nos. A11904741; A07422697 [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS-WEST AFRICA).

ALKARAM DANISMANLIK GAYRIMENKUL IC VE DIS GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. AL-KARAM COMPANY; AL-KARAM MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER COMPANY ISTANBUL EXCHANGE RATES); Fatih, Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT IDLIB’S NO.1 COIN EXCHANGE (a.k.a. IDLIB NO 1 BTC; NO.1 BITCOIN EXCHANGE AGENT; BITCOIN XCHANGE); Idlib, Salqin, Darkush, Sarmada, Syria; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

GENERATION CURRENCY BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Lagos, Nigeria; RC 1555604; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).

MANHATTAN BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; No. 59 Murtala Mohammed Way, Wapa, Kano, Nigeria; RC 1763824; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).

NINE TO NINE EXCHANGE BUREAU DE CHANGE LIMITED; Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria; RC 1462752; [SDGT] (Linked To: Mukhtar Adamu / ISIS network).

SPIDER GAYRIMENKUL VE GENEL TICARET LIMITED SIRKETI (a.k.a. SPIDER MONEY TRANSFER COMPANY; SPIDER TICARET); Istanbul, Türkiye; [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

The U.S. reaffirmed 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, described as the number two official in ISIS.

Pigott said the United States would continue to apply diplomatic and legal measures against ISIS and its supporters 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. 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,” he said.

The action, according to the statement, was taken under Executive Order 13224, as amended.

It also noted that ISIS, formerly known as al-Qa’ida in Iraq, was designated a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) organisation in 2004. (PUNCH)

Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse [Right], former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, died while in kidnappers’ den

Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse, the immediate past Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Koko/Besse Local Government Area of Kebbi State, has tragically died while in captivity after being abducted by bandits earlier in June 2026.

He was held alongside another captive, identified as Yahya, in the notorious Birnin Gwari forest in North-West Nigeria—a region long plagued by banditry and violent criminal activity.

A disturbing video circulated widely on social media showed Besse and Yahya pleading desperately for help.

In the footage, Besse confirmed his past role as APC Chairman but clarified that he no longer held the position.

Both men appeared visibly frail and weak, lamenting their deteriorating health conditions.

They appealed to relatives, community leaders, and government authorities to intervene and secure their release.

The video sparked outrage and sympathy across Nigeria, drawing attention to the vulnerability of even prominent figures in the face of unchecked banditry.

On June 23, 2026, reports confirmed that both captives—Besse and Yahya—had died in the kidnappers’ den.

Their deaths have left families, political associates, and the wider community devastated.

The incident has reignited debates about the government’s handling of security in Kebbi State and across Nigeria’s North-West.

The tragedy underscores the deepening insecurity in Nigeria’s North-West, where bandit groups continue to terrorize communities through abductions, extortion, and killings.

It highlights the failure of negotiation and ransom-driven approaches, which often embolden criminal gangs rather than deter them.

Analysts warn that the incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive security reforms, stronger intelligence gathering, and coordinated military action.

Community leaders have called for decisive government intervention.

They stressed that the persistence of such crimes erodes public trust in governance and threatens national stability.

A Kebbi State official expressed grief in a heartfelt statement:

“I have received the heartbreaking news that one of the victims abducted by bandits, a former APC Chairman of Koko/Besse Local Government, has sadly passed away while in the hands of his captors.

“I extend my deepest condolences to his family, relatives, friends, and all those affected by this painful loss.

“May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings, shower His infinite mercy upon him, and grant him Aljannatul Firdaus.

“May Allah also comfort his family and grant them the strength to bear this difficult loss.”

The official further prayed for an end to the persistent insecurity troubling Kebbi State and Nigeria as a whole.

He urged for lasting peace, safety, and stability in affected communities.

The death of Alhaji Muhammadu Mai Barga Besse and his associate Yahya in captivity has sparked outrage and renewed calls for urgent solutions to Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.

Their passing is a grim reminder of the human toll of banditry, the fragility of life under such conditions, and the pressing need for decisive action to restore peace and stability in Kebbi State and across Nigeria.