The Nigeria Sanctions Committee released an updated list of 48 individuals and entities on April 11 2026. The committee placed negotiator Tukur Mamu self-styled Biafra agitator Simon EkpaSimon Ekpa and 46 others on the sanctions list for alleged involvement in terrorism financing. Officials said the action targeted financial networks that supported insecurity across the country.
The list accused journalist Tukur Mamu of participating in terrorism financing. He received and delivered ransom payments that exceeded 200 000 dollars to Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists for the release of hostages from the Abuja-Kaduna train attack. Mamu who currently stands trial in Nigeria denied the allegations.
Additionally the committee named Simon Ekpa. He maintained links to a faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra. Finnish authorities had sentenced him to six years in prison in September 2025 for terrorism-related offences that included incitement and participation in terrorist group activities.
The sanctions also covered several groups. These included the Islamic State West Africa Province Ansarul Sudan and the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Other named individuals such as Abdulsamat Ohida a senior commander of the Islamic State of West Africa Province in Okene faced accusations tied to specific attacks including the June 2022 assault on St Francis Catholic Church in Owo Ondo State.
The designations froze the accounts and assets of those listed. The Nigeria Sanctions Committee acted under the Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act to cut off funds that sustained proscribed organisations.
