Federal Government names ISWAP, IPOB, journalist Tukur Mamu, Simon Ekpa as terrorism financiers

 

The Federal Government has published a list of 48 individuals and organisations allegedly linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle financial networks supporting insecurity across the country.

The list, released on Saturday, April 11, 2026, by the Nigeria Sanctions Committee (NiGSAC), was also uploaded on the committee’s official website, nigsac.gov.ng.

It names persons and entities suspected of involvement in terrorism-related activities, including affiliations with proscribed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ansarul Sudan, and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

Among those listed is Simon Ekpa, a Finland-based Nigerian separatist figure associated with a faction of IPOB. Ekpa was sentenced on September 1, 2025, by a Finnish court to six years’ imprisonment for terrorism-related offences, including incitement and participation in the activities of a terrorist group.

Also named is Kaduna-based journalist and publisher Tukur Mamu, who is currently standing trial in Nigeria over alleged involvement in terrorism financing. Mamu, who was arrested in 2022, faces multiple charges filed by the Federal Government bordering on providing logistical and financial support to terrorist groups. He has, however, denied all allegations.

Other individuals listed by the government include: Abdulsamat Ohida, Mohammed Sani, Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman, Fatima Ishaq, Yusuf Ghazali, Abubakar Muhammad, Sallamudeen Hassan, Adamu Ishak, Hassana Isah, Abdulkareem Musa, Umar Abdullahi, Bashir Yusuf, Ibrahim Alhassan, Salihu Adamu, Surajo Mohammad, Fannami Bukar, Muhammed Musa, Sahabi Ismail, Mohammed Buba, Adamu Hassan, Hassan Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Kubara Salawu, and Rabi’u Suleiman.

The list also features several other individuals, including Simon Njoku, Godstime Iyare, Francis Mmadubuchi, John Onwumere, Chikwuka Eze, Edwin Chukwuedo, Chiwendu Owoh, Ginika Orji, Awo Uchechukwu, Mercy Ali, Ohagwu Juliana, Eze Okpoto, Nwaobi Chimezie, and Ogumu Kewe.

Entities named in the sanctions list include Jama’atu Wal-Jihad, Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru), Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Yan Group, and Yan Group NLBDG.

The development comes amid an ongoing mass trial of terrorism suspects by the Federal Government, underscoring a broader crackdown on individuals accused of aiding and abetting terrorist activities, particularly in the North-East.

The trial, which opened on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja, saw 227 suspects arraigned before 10 judges. Security was tight during the proceedings, with the suspects transported in heavily guarded convoys under the supervision of military, police, and intelligence personnel.

So far, five of the accused have been handed varying jail terms ranging from seven to 20 years after pleading guilty to charges that include selling livestock, supplying food, and providing information to militant groups.

Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi said the scale of the trial reflects the Federal Government’s determination to address terrorism financing and ensure justice is served.

“The federal government is committed to ensuring that due process is followed while bringing those involved in terrorism to justice,” he said.

One of the major highlights of the trial was the sentencing of Babagana Habeeb, a former senatorial candidate in Borno State, to 10 years’ imprisonment for selling petrol to Boko Haram terrorists.

Habeeb, a fuel dealer based in Maiduguri, was convicted on Friday after pleading guilty to a one-count charge of aiding and abetting terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.

He admitted to supplying petroleum products to insurgents operating in the North-east, although he claimed that the transactions may have been carried out by attendants at his filling station.

During the court proceedings, Habeeb, kneeling in the dock, pleaded for leniency, telling the court that he had spent more than 10 years in detention without contact with his family, and that he has two wives and six children.

Counsel to the Federal Government, David Kaswe, opposed the plea, arguing that the defendant’s actions contributed to deaths and the displacement of civilians. He urged the court to impose a 20-year sentence, noting that insurgents rely on petrol supplies to power motorcycles used in attacks and escape operations.

In his ruling, Justice Peter Lifu held that there was no evidence showing that Habeeb was a member of any terrorist group or had undergone weapons training, adding that the charge before the court was limited to the sale of fuel to insurgents.

The judge also noted that the prosecution did not dispute Habeeb’s claim that he had been in custody for over a decade. He subsequently sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment, ordering that the sentence take effect from the date of his arrest.

The court further directed that the defendant be released upon completion of the sentence, with a recommendation for rehabilitation.

Below is the full list of alleged terrorism suspects updated on Saturday:

Abdulsamat Ohida

Mohammed Sani

Abdurrahaman Abdurrahaman

Fatima Ishaq

Tukur Mamu

Yusuf Ghazali

Muhammad Sani

Abubakar Muhammad

Sallamudeen Hassan

Adamu Ishak

Hassana Isah

Abdulkareem Musa

Umar Abdullahi

Abdurrahaman Ado

Bashir Yusuf

Ibrahim Alhassan

Muhammad Isah

Salihu Adamu

Surajo Mohammad

Fannami Bukar

Muhammed Musa

Sahabi Ismail

Mohammed Buba

Jama’atu Wal-Jihad

Ansarul Sudan (Ansaru)

Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)

Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)

Yan Group

Yan Group NLBDG

Adamu Hassan

Hassan Mohammed

Usman Abubakar

Kubara Salawu

Rabiu Suleiman

Simon Njoku

Godstime Iyare

Francis Mmadubuchi

John Onwumere

Chikwuka Eze

Edwin Chukwuedo

Chiwendu Owoh

Ginika Orji

Awo Uchechukwu

Mercy Ali

Ohagwu Juliana

Eze Okpoto

Nwaobi Chimezie

Ogumu Kewe