The Federal Government has placed negotiator Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa, and 47 other individuals and entities on its sanctions list over alleged involvement in terrorism financing and related activities.
According to the updated list released by the sanctions committee, several of those named are linked to extremist groups such as Islamic State West Africa Province and Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, which is associated with Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
Links to past attacks
One of the suspects, Abdulsamat Ohida, was identified as a senior ISWAP commander and linked to:
The June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo
The July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja
Another individual, Mohammed Sani, was described as an ANSARU member trained in explosives and covert communication, with operational ties across Algeria and Mali.
Allegations against Mamu
The government accused Tukur Mamu of facilitating terrorism financing by handling ransom payments exceeding $200,000 to ISWAP militants for the release of victims of the Abuja–Kaduna train attack.
Financial networks exposed
Authorities said several individuals acted as:
Fund couriers distributing money to insurgents and their families
Middlemen transferring millions of naira between suspects
International facilitators moving funds from locations such as the UAE into Nigeria
For instance, Yusuf Ghazali was alleged to have transferred tens of millions of naira to convicted الإرهاب suspects, while others maintained financial links with known militant leaders.
Groups and entities listed
The sanctions list also includes organisations such as:
Indigenous Biafra
ISWAP
ANSARU
Jama’atu Wal-Jihad
Background
This development builds on earlier sanctions in 2025, when several individuals including Simon Ekpa were first designated for alleged terrorism financing.
The latest move reflects a growing focus by the Nigerian government on dismantling financial support systems behind terrorism, targeting not only fighters but also those accused of enabling operations through funding, logistics, and cross-border transactions.
