US sanctions 6 Nigerians for allegedly aiding Boko Haram

WASHINGTON

Six Nigerian nationals have been placed under US sanctions due to their alleged support for Boko Haram, the State and Treasury Departments announced on Friday.

All six, identified as Abdurrahman Ado Musa, Salihu Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Ali Yusuf, Muhammed Ibrahim Isa, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, were convicted of attempting to set up a Boko Haram cell in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the Treasury said in a statement.

“With this action, the United States joins the UAE in targeting terrorist financing networks of mutual concern,” Under Secretary of the Treasury Brian Nelson said.

“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,” he added.

The men were convicted in the UAE of attempting to send $782,000 from Dubai to Boko Haram in Nigeria.

Adamu and Muhammad were sentenced to life in prison for violating the emirates' anti-terrorism laws, while Musa, Yusuf, Isa and Alhassan received sentences of 10 years in prison followed by deportation.