The United States government has identified an alleged terrorist financier operating in Nigeria alongside other individuals and entities across Europe, the Middle East, and West Africa.
The individuals have been designated as financial facilitators for activities linked to the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
In a statement issued on Monday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson Thomas Pigott announced that the new sanctions target three individuals and six entities accused of moving funds to support ISIS operations globally.
The actions reflect an aggressive push by the American government to choke off the international cash flows that keep terror networks alive.
Pigott stated, “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.”
According to the report, the newly exposed financial network stretches across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria, operating as a cross-border money pipeline for the terror group.
“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,” the statement added.
“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.”
