Nigeria, Foreign Financiers Linked to Boko Haram: Full List of 23 Suspects and Their Multi-Billion Naira Transactions

A detailed investigation has uncovered a sprawling network of 20 Nigerian nationals and three foreign associates believed to be involved in financing Boko Haram through complex financial operations, cash movements, and cross-border transfers. The network includes businessmen, bureau-de-change operators, public officials, and international partners with direct or indirect links to convicted terrorists.

Despite the scale of the alleged activities, many of the Nigerian suspects arrested in 2021 were later released under unclear circumstances.

 

 

 

 

Nigerian Suspects Identified in the Terror Financing Network

 

 

 

1. Alhaji Saidu Ahmed (Zaria, Kaduna State)

 

 

Known as Alh Saidu or Alhaji Saidu Gold, born July 6, 1961.

 

• Identified as a major financier of Boko Haram.
• Accounts recorded N4.8 billion in inflows with heavy cash withdrawals.
• Direct links to convicts named in UAE terrorism court rulings.

 

 

 

2. Usaini Adamu (Kano)

 

 

Also known as Baba Hussaini, born March 2, 1963.

 

• Manages 111 BVN-linked accounts across nine banks.
• Logged N43 billion inflows and N50 billion outflows.
• Served as guarantor for accounts used by convicted Boko Haram financiers.
• Implicated in sourcing weapons and logistics.

 

 

 

3. Muhammad Sani Adam (Kano/Yola)

 

 

Born March 28, 1978.

 

• Forex and precious stones trader.
• 41 accounts across 14 banks with over N54.1 billion inflows.
• A close associate of Alhaji Saidu; regularly transacted with convicted persons.

 

 

 

4. Abubakar Adamu Yellow (Kano)

 

 

Born October 18, 1968.

 

• Operates 42 accounts.
• Inflows total N61.4 billion, outflows N51.7 billion.
• Sent millions to convicted Boko Haram funders.

 

 

 

5. Murtala Abdullahi Jega (Kano)

 

 

Born December 1, 1970.

 

• BDC operator with 94 accounts.
• Received N60 million from a convicted financier.
• Transferred funds to companies linked to arms procurement.

 

 

 

6. Sadiq Garba Abubakar (Kano/Abuja)

 

 

Born May 10, 1980.

 

• Holds 30 accounts.
• Sent N1.65 billion to convicted financier Surajo Abubakar Muhammad.
• Central to multiple transactions supporting the network.

 

 

 

7. Hussaini Adamu (Kano)

 

 

Born May 2, 1974.

 

• Linked to billions in transfers among suspects and convicted individuals.

 

 

 

8. Mustapha Ibrahim Yakubu (Abuja/Kano)

 

 

Born December 12, 1966.

 

• 39 BVN-linked accounts.
• Transferred N2 billion to Bahafs Global and N345 million to Jega.
• Tied to logistics and procurement channels.

 

 

 

9. Ali Abdullahi Yusuf (Kano)

 

 

Born September 9, 1982.

 

• Elder brother of two convicted financiers.
• Holds 43 accounts with consistent transactions tied to Boko Haram networks.

 

 

 

10. Nasiru Shuaibu (Gusau/Minna)

 

 

Born June 15, 1973.

 

• Controls 17 accounts.
• Received N5.4 billion from Muhammad Sani.

 

 

 

11. Yusuf Ghazali (Kano)

 

 

Born March 18, 1982.

 

• Forex trader with 385 accounts across 10 banks.
• Identified in UAE terrorism court judgments as a key facilitator.

 

 

 

12. Mansur Muhammad Usman (Kano)

 

 

Born April 22, 1981.

 

• Textile trader with 18 accounts.
• Named repeatedly in UAE judgments for money transfers and recruitment.

 

 

 

13. Yazid Usman Muhammad (Kano)

 

 

Born November 5, 1985.

 

• Has five accounts.
• Received funds from Mansur Usman and involved in transfer chains.

 

 

 

14. Alhaji Musa Emma (Maiduguri)

 

 

Born February 1, 1962.

 

• Maintains 15 accounts.
• Made cash withdrawals exceeding N2.4 billion.
• Deep ties to convicts in Borno.

 

 

 

15. Modu Sulum (Maiduguri)

 

 

Born September 7, 1972.

 

• Single BVN-linked account.
• Connected to Maiduguri-based suspects involved in financing.

 

 

 

16. Adamu Aliyu Kanoma (Gusau)

 

 

Born January 1, 1970.

 

• Jewellery dealer with 83 accounts.
• Cash withdrawals over N10 billion between 2016–2020.
• Linked to more than 22 associates of convicted financiers.

 

 

 

17. Habibu Muhammad Usama (Gusau)

 

 

Born June 7, 1978.

 

• Holds 39 accounts.
• Withdrew more than N7 billion and received funds from convicts.

 

 

 

18. Nurudeen Gani Aliyu (Sokoto)

 

 

Also known as Alhaji Nura, born December 31, 1967.

 

• BDC operator with 218 accounts.
• Sent large transfers to companies linked to arms purchases.

 

19. Ladan Ibrahim (Sokoto)

 

 

Born March 7, 1968.

 

• Public servant and chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Board.
• Operates 47 accounts.
• Transferred state-linked funds to major suspects.

 

 

20. (Repeat Entry) – Sadiq Garba Abubakar

Noted earlier due to his central role.

International Suspects in the Network

 

1. Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa (Rwanda/South Africa)

Born March 1, 1940 – Died April 2024.

 

• Businessman with properties in Nigeria and South Africa.
• Controlled 70 Nigerian accounts with N67 billion inflows.
• Facilitated offshore transfers connected to convicted Boko Haram financiers.

 

2. Paul Nkwaya (Rwanda)

 

 

Born August 7, 1967.

 

• Son of Ayabatwa; co-owner of Leaf Tobacco & Commodities.
• Shares same 70 accounts linked to terrorism-related financial flows.

 

3. Aboubacar Hima (Niger)

 

Born March 18, 1973.

 

• Known arms dealer called Petit.
• Operates 35 accounts.
• Facilitated $1.19 million transfers from UAE to associates in Nigeria.
• Under probe for money laundering and multi-currency fraud.

Conclusion

 

The investigation outlines a highly coordinated financial system involving Nigerian businessmen, BDC operators, public officials, and international partners. Their activities span hundreds of accounts, billions of naira, and cross-border transactions, many of which are referenced in UAE terrorism court rulings.

The findings point to a long-running and deeply-embedded structure supporting Boko Haram’s operations across Nigeria and beyond.

 

Source: SaharaReporters