SaharaReporters Uncovers 23 Suspected Terror Financiers With Billions In Suspicious Transactions
December 5, 2025
News — Exclusive
Unmasking a Global Terror-Financing Network: 23 Suspects Linked to Boko Haram, Powerful Nigerians, and International Arms Traffickers
SaharaReporters has obtained exclusive intelligence detailing a sophisticated network of 20 Nigerian and three international suspects implicated in financing and facilitating Boko Haram terrorism.
The network spans several Nigerian states and multiple foreign jurisdictions, involving businessmen, Bureau De Change (BDC) operators, public officials, and internationally known arms dealers. Most were arrested in 2021 but later released under circumstances now described as highly questionable.
The financial trails, cross-border transfers, and repeated citations in UAE terrorism-financing judgments reveal a coordinated web of illicit support to Boko Haram’s operations.
LOCAL SUSPECTS
1. Alhaji Saidu Ahmed
Born July 6, 1961 – Zaria, Kaduna State
A prominent businessman widely identified as a major Boko Haram financier. His accounts recorded N4.8 billion in inflows with heavy cash withdrawals.
He is directly linked to convicted terrorists Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Bashir Aliyu Yusuf—names that featured in UAE court proceedings.
2. Usaini Adamu
Born March 2, 1963 – Kano
Known as Baba Hussaini, he served as a guarantor for several convicted individuals.
Across 111 accounts in nine banks, his BVN shows N43 billion inflows and N50 billion outflows.
He has been implicated in the procurement of weapons and logistics for Boko Haram.
3. Muhammad Sani Adam
Born March 28, 1978 – Kano/Yola
A forex and precious-stone trader with 41 accounts in 14 banks.
His accounts recorded N54.1 billion inflows and N54.4 billion outflows, mostly connected to convicted terrorists.
He is regarded as the closest financial associate of Alhaji Saidu.
4. Abubakar Adamu Yellow
Born October 18, 1968 – Kano
With 42 accounts across 13 banks, his financial activities include tens of millions transferred to convicts between 2014 and 2019.
His accounts show N61.4 billion inflows and N51.7 billion outflows, indicating suspicious large-volume movements.
5. Murtala Abdullahi Jega
Born December 1, 1970 – Kano
A BDC operator with 94 accounts in nine banks.
He received N60 million from convicted terrorist Bashir Ali Yusuf, and transferred funds to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities—linked to arms procurement.
He also received significant payments from associates of convicted individuals.
6. Sadiq Garba Abubakar
Born May 10, 1980 – Kano/Abuja
Linked closely to top convicts, his 30 accounts in 13 banks transferred N1.65 billion to Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and additional sums to other known associates.
7. Hussaini Adamu
Born May 2, 1974 – Kano
A businessman moving billions through multiple transfers.
He acted as a crucial link circulating funds among convicted individuals and their networks.
8. Mustapha Ibrahim Yakubu
Born December 12, 1966 – Wuse/Kano
His 39 accounts show transfers of N2 billion to Bahafs Global and N345 million to Murtala Jega, tying him directly to arms procurement and logistics for Boko Haram.
9. Ali Abdullahi Yusuf
Born September 9, 1982 – Kano
Elder brother of two convicted terrorists.
His 43 accounts across 11 banks exchanged significant funds with Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and more than 40 associates.
10. Nasiru Shuaibu
Born June 15, 1973 – Gusau/Minna
Operating with 17 accounts in 10 banks, he received massive inflows, including N5.4 billion from Muhammad Sani, making him a major financial conduit.
11. Yusuf Ghazali
Born March 18, 1982 – Kano
A forex trader with an astonishing 385 BVN-linked accounts in 10 banks.
He transferred funds directly to convicted terrorists and was cited in UAE court judgments as a key link between Dubai and Nigeria.
ADDITIONAL FINANCIERS
12. Mansur Muhammad Usman
Born April 22, 1981 – Kano
Repeatedly mentioned in UAE court judgments as a Boko Haram money-transfer agent.
Operated 18 accounts across 13 banks and recruited others into the network.
13. Yazid Usman Muhammad
Born November 5, 1985 – Kano
Holder of five accounts that received N830,950 from Mansur Usman.
Named in UAE judgments as a financial facilitator for Boko Haram.
14. Alhaji Musa Emma
Born February 1, 1962 – Maiduguri
With 15 accounts, he conducted over N2.4 billion in cash withdrawals and received substantial funds from convicted individuals.
15. Modu Sulum
Born September 7, 1972 – Maiduguri
Though he maintains only one account, his financial ties to Musa Emma and others in Maiduguri place him within the epicenter of Boko Haram’s financial operations.
16. Adamu Aliyu Kanoma
Born January 1, 1970 – Gusau
A jewellery dealer with 83 accounts in 11 banks.
Executed over N10 billion in withdrawals, with direct links to the convicts and their financiers.
17. Habibu Muhammad Usama
Born June 7, 1978 – Gusau
Operates 39 accounts, receiving N65 million from convicted terrorists and withdrawing over N7 billion in cash.
18. Nurudeen Gani Aliyu (Alhaji Nura)
Born December 31, 1967 – Sokoto
A BDC operator with 218 accounts.
Transferred huge sums to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities and other entities linked to Boko Haram logistics.
19. Ladan Ibrahim
Born March 7, 1968 – Sokoto
A public servant and chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency.
His 47 accounts transferred significant funds to Alhaji Nura, suggesting diversion of public funds into terrorist channels.
20. Sadiq Garba Abubakar
Previously listed, included again as a central financier due to multiple high-value transactions with convicts.
INTERNATIONAL SUSPECTS
1. Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa (Deceased)
Born March 1, 1940 – Rwanda (d. 2024)
A global tobacco magnate with operations in Nigeria and South Africa.
His 70 accounts carried N67 billion inflows and N34 billion outflows, including transfers from Alhaji Nura Gani.
He facilitated offshore transfers tied to the convicts.
2. Paul Nkwaya
Born August 7, 1967 – Rwanda
Son of Ayabatwa and co-owner of Leaf Tobacco & Commodities.
Shared the same 70 accounts and participated directly in transfers linked to terrorist financing.
3. Aboubacar Hima (Petit)
Born March 18, 1973 – Niger Republic
A notorious international arms dealer operating in Abuja.
His 35 accounts facilitated $1.19 million in transfers from the UAE to associates of convicted terrorists.
He is under investigation for money laundering, conspiracy, and major fraud across currencies.
A Coordinated Terror-Financing Web
The combined data—BVN-linked accounts, multi-billion-naira financial activity, foreign transfers, and references in UAE terrorism judgments—shows that this network operates across Nigeria, the Middle East, and Africa.
Despite arrests made in 2021, all Nigerian suspects were later released, raising urgent questions about interference, compromised investigations, and systemic failures in counter-terrorism efforts.
The breadth of this network underscores the need for renewed surveillance, prosecution, and stringent oversight to prevent further financing of terrorism within and beyond Nigeria’s borders.