apapaparrot

United States Releases Identities of Nigerian, Firms Designated as Terrorist Financiers. apapaparrot

The United States has designated a Nigerian national and three companies operating in the country as alleged financial facilitators of activities linked to the terrorist group, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

They were designated in the latest action, which targeted a total of three individuals and six entities accused of facilitating the movement of funds for ISIS operations globally.

In a statement issued on Monday and sighted on Tuesday, U.S. Department of State spokesperson, Thomas Pigott, said designations cut across France, Syria, Türkiye, and Nigeria.

He described the network as one that enables ISIS to move money across borders.

“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.

“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,” the statement added.

In a further update released on Monday, the US released the identities of the three persons and six companies designated.

Apart from the Nigerian national, three of the six designated companies are also from Nigeria, two from Lagos State and one from Kano.

Full List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)
ABDELHAKIM, Boukich (a.k.a. “ALHOLANDI, Abu Sulayman”; “BABILI, Muhammad”); Syria; DOB 15 Dec 1993 (alt. 01 Jan 1991); POB The Hague, Netherlands (alt. Aleppo, Syria); nationality Netherlands; male; National ID No. 02040063438 (Syria) [SDGT] (Linked To: ISIS).

ABDERRAHMANE, Miloud (a.k.a. “GHAZI, Ibrahim”); France; DOB Aug 1992; nationality/citizenship France; male; Digital Currency Addresses: TRX TBXMiRqUp1XH1zLazWu8cWitMAScv4HsYq; TRX TDFj8tYzfLDkwEMo4MJ2DfrbpMztuCCnan

Nigeria's FG Says It Has Found Wòrld-Class Platinum, Gold, Lithium and Rare Earth Minerals Deposits in Kaduna. apapaparrot

The Federal Government has announced the discovery of what it described as a world-class polymetallic mineral province in Kaduna State containing deposits of platinum group metals, gold, nickel, copper, lithium and rare earth elements.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, disclosed this on Wednesday at the opening of the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit (AFNIS) 2026 in Abuja.

A geological survey sample sits in the foreground as workers develop an active mining site in Nigeria.

The discovery could bring billions into government coffers, create thousands of jobs, and reduce Nigeria's dependence on crude oil, but only if authorities can prevent illegal miners and criminal networks from repeating the mistakes seen in Zamfara.
Advertisement

SUMMARY
The Federal Government says Kaduna has commercially significant deposits of platinum, gold, lithium, nickel, copper and rare earth elements.

These critical minerals are worth billions globally and could help Nigeria reduce its dependence on crude oil while creating jobs and boosting state revenues.

But the government must prevent illegal mining and criminal networks from repeating the security challenges seen in Zamfara.

For decades, Nigeria's economy has largely risen and fallen with the price of crude oil.

Now, the Federal Government has announced a massive shift in the country's economic potential.

Speaking at the African Natural Resources and Energy Investment Summit, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, revealed the discovery of a "world-class polymetallic mineral province" in Kaduna State.

The extensive exploration work conducted by the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) has identified commercially significant deposits of platinum group metals (PGMs), gold, nickel, copper, lithium, and rare earth elements.

This development could become one of the country's biggest solid-mineral breakthroughs in decades if managed properly.

But beyond the immediate excitement, the announcement raises a critical question: Could the