US designates Nigerian, others as ISIS financiers

By Samuel Solomon

The United States has designated a Nigerian national and other individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East and West Africa as alleged financial facilitators in activities linked to the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the action targeted three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.

“Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s 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.

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.

Details later…