ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Government of Nigeria has named self-acclaimed separatist figure, Simon Ekpa, and negotiator, Tukur Mamu, among 48 individuals and entities placed on its sanctions list over alleged involvement in terrorism financing.
The updated list, published by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee on Saturday, detailed alleged financial and operational links between the suspects and extremist groups, including the Islamic State West Africa Province, (ISWAP) and Ansarul Muslimina Fi Biladissudam, (ANSARU).
According to the government, Mamu allegedly “participated in the financing of terrorism by receiving and delivering ransom payments over the sum of $200,000 US dollars in support of ISWAP terrorists for the release of hostages of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.”
Also named was Abdulsamat Ohida, described as a senior ISWAP commander in Okene, allegedly linked to the June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State, and the July 5, 2022 assault on the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
Mohammed Sani, identified as a member of ANSARU, was said to have been trained under notorious extremist Mokhtar Belmokhtar, also known as “One Eyed,” with expertise in improvised explosive devices and covert communication systems.
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Authorities further alleged that Sani acted as a courier and guide for operatives of Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb across Algeria and Mali, and escaped during the Kuje prison break.
Another suspect, Abdurrahman Abdurrahman, was identified as a senior ISWAP commander operating within the North-Central axis, while Fatima Ishaq was described as a financial courier responsible for distributing funds to widows and families of fighters.
The government also accused Yusuf Ghazali of transferring millions of naira to convicted terrorism financiers, including Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and maintaining links with top figures within the network.
Ghazali was further linked to entities cited in a United Arab Emirates court judgment for facilitating the transfer of terrorist funds from Dubai to Nigeria.
Among other individuals listed are Usama Muhammad, alleged to be a key contact in Zamfara State, alongside dozens of others accused of varying degrees of involvement in financing and supporting extremist operations.
Entities named include Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, ANSARU, ISWAP, the Indigenous People of Biafra, Yan Group, and Yan Group NLBDG.
The latest designation follows an earlier round of sanctions in May 2025, when the committee listed 17 individuals and organisations, including Ekpa and several alleged collaborators.
The Federal Government of Nigeria said the move is part of intensified efforts to disrupt terrorism financing networks and strengthen national security architecture.