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US sanctions Lagos-based ISIS financier and bureaux de change
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

US sanctions Lagos-based ISIS financier and bureaux de change

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • The U.S. sanctioned a Lagos-based ISIS financier, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, and three associated bureaux de change.
  • The action targets a network allegedly moving funds for ISIS across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.
  • The U.S. reaffirmed its partnership with Nigeria in combating terrorism and protecting religious minorities.

The United States has imposed sanctions on a Lagos-based ISIS financier, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, 35, and three bureaux de change linked to him. This action is part of a broader U.S. effort to dismantle ISIS's financial networks operating across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.

Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world.

— Thomas “Tommy” Pigottexplaining the objective of the U.S. sanctions against ISIS financial networks.

According to the Department of State’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, Muhammad, also known as Adamu Mukhtar and Muhammad Mukhtar, allegedly served as a conduit for ISIS financing. His operations were based in Lagos and Kano states. The sanctioned bureaux de change include Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited in Lagos, and Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited in Kano.

The targeted network also included individuals operating in France and Syria. A France-based facilitator reportedly provided explosives information to ISIS supporters, while a Syria-based operator allegedly used cryptocurrency to transfer funds for ISIS associates globally. These actions were taken under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists and acts of terrorism.

We are cutting off the financial lifelines that enable ISIS to fund attacks, support its regional affiliates, and threaten civilians, including religious minorities.

— Thomas “Tommy” Pigottdetailing the impact of the sanctions on ISIS's operational capabilities.

Thomas “Tommy” Pigott, a spokesperson, stated, “Under the leadership of President Trump, the United States is dismantling ISIS’s ability to finance terrorism around the world.” He emphasized that the U.S. is cutting off financial lifelines that enable ISIS to fund attacks and support its affiliates. The sanctions block all U.S. assets of the designated individuals and entities and prohibit any transactions with Americans.

These actions reflect the United States’ unrelenting pressure on ISIS, which continues to decentralize its operations and rely on financial intermediaries to connect its global network.

— Thomas “Tommy” Pigottdescribing the evolving tactics of ISIS and the U.S. response.

The U.S. also highlighted its partnership with Nigeria, referencing a May 16, 2026 operation that resulted in the death of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as the number two official in ISIS. Washington assured its commitment to using "every diplomatic and legal tool available" to hold ISIS and its supporters accountable, reaffirming its dedication to protecting religious minorities and collaborating with international partners to eliminate the threat posed by ISIS to global peace and security.

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.

— Department of Statereaffirming the U.S. commitment to combating terrorism globally.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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