Residents React as Abandoned Lagos House Is Linked to Alleged ISIS Financing Investigation

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Residents of Abimbola Street in the Morkaz area of Agege, Lagos, have expressed surprise after a property in their neighbourhood was identified by the United States as the residence of a Nigerian accused of facilitating financial transactions for the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

The property, located at No. 45 Abimbola Street, was listed by the United States Department of State as the address of Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, who was recently sanctioned alongside three Bureau De Change (BDC) companies over alleged involvement in an international ISIS financing network.

A visit to the location revealed that the bungalow has remained locked and appears to have been abandoned for a long period. The building showed visible signs of neglect, including rusted door handles, permanently shut windows, and iron doors partially sealed with concrete.

The sanctions announced by the U.S. Government also targeted Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, all of which were allegedly linked to the financial network.

Residents living around the property, close to the Markaz Islamic Centre in Papa Ashafa, said they were shocked that their quiet community had become associated with an international terrorism financing investigation.

A food vendor, identified simply as Hajia, said she had lived in the area for six years and had never heard of anyone named Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad.

According to her, the neighbourhood is largely populated by Hausa residents and has never exhibited any signs of criminal or extremist activity. She added that she was particularly surprised that U.S. authorities were able to identify the exact address.

Another resident, Alhaji Suleiman Tijani, described the community as peaceful, noting that the house had remained unoccupied for nearly two years, although this could not be independently confirmed. He said that on a few occasions, individuals visited the property briefly for cleaning before leaving without attracting suspicion.

Tijani also disclosed that police patrols increased around the neighbourhood following the U.S. sanctions announcement. However, he noted that security personnel merely conducted surveillance, with no arrests or questioning of residents.

Another resident, identified as Auwal, said he initially dismissed the reports until they were discussed on radio. He expressed concern that innocent residents could become targets during efforts to locate the suspect.

A fashion designer, Mrs. Angela Nwoboku, said life in the community had continued as normal despite the reports. She urged security agencies to carry out thorough investigations to ensure innocent people were not wrongly implicated.

Reacting to the development, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stated that the state government had no plans to demolish the property.

He explained that matters relating to terrorism and national security fall within the jurisdiction of federal security agencies rather than the Lagos State Government.

Meanwhile, security sources disclosed that neither Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad nor any other individuals linked to the alleged network had been arrested as of Saturday.

According to a senior security official, investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) are at an advanced stage, with authorities actively tracking the suspects and their associates.

The source explained that terrorism financing investigations often involve complex international networks, requiring extensive intelligence gathering before arrests are made. He maintained that there was no concern about the suspects escaping, insisting that investigators were fully aware of those involved.

Officials familiar with the investigation also revealed that the EFCC had already begun probing Muhammad and the three Bureau De Change companies before the United States announced the sanctions.

The investigation reportedly focuses on alleged terrorism financing, suspicious financial transactions, and possible links to terrorist organisations.

Corporate records obtained from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) show that Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited was incorporated in Lagos on January 24, 2019, but is currently listed as inactive.

Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited, incorporated on March 1, 2021, remains active, while Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, registered on January 8, 2018, is also listed as inactive.

Further checks on company records identified Adamu Muhammad Mukhar and Chiroma Adamu as directors of the three companies, with Mukhar also serving as company secretary. Adamu Chiroma Fatima and Adamu Chiroma Maryam were listed as shareholders.