Report Alleges Links Between Terrorism Financing Suspects and Prominent Nigerian Officials

 

A major counter-terrorism investigation has reportedly uncovered connections between suspected terror financiers and several influential Nigerian figures, including former senior government and military officials. The revelations were made by retired Nigerian Army General Ali-Keffi, who previously led the probe.

Operation Service Wide: A Deep Dive Into Terror Networks

In 2021, the Federal Government under former President Muhammadu Buhari approved Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency initiative tasked with tracking Boko Haram masterminds, identifying financiers, and dismantling support networks linked to terrorism.

According to Gen. Ali-Keffi, the investigation uncovered “an extensive network of financiers” allegedly linked to senior officials, top military officers, and major financial institutions.

Alleged Links to High-Profile Nigerians

Ali-Keffi stated that several suspects under investigation had connections to powerful individuals, including:

• Two suspects allegedly linked to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd)
• Two connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN)
• One linked to former Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele
• One connected to former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd)

He clarified that none of these officials were accused of financing terrorism. However, the suspects associated with them were under investigation for suspected terror-financing activities—often disguised under legitimate Bureau De Change operations.

Ali-Keffi stressed that OSW found no evidence directly implicating the named officials in terrorism financing.

Detention and Compulsory Retirement

The retired general recounted how he was abruptly summoned to Military Police Headquarters on October 18, 2021, detained for 64 days, and later forced into retirement without formal charges.

He described the experience as an attempt to halt the ongoing terrorism-financing investigation. His petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu seeking redress has reportedly received no response, prompting him to take the matter to the National Industrial Court, which he claims has yet to sit on the case.

Offshore Accounts and Alleged $50 Million Bribe Attempt

Ali-Keffi said the investigation traced approximately $600 million to an offshore account belonging to international suspect Aboubacar Hima. He claimed the then-NFIU Director informed him that an intermediary offered $50 million for Nigeria to declare “no issues” with the funds—an offer he rejected.

He further alleged that the Nigerian government later wrote to U.S. authorities requesting that the funds be unfrozen.

Obstruction of Investigation and Release of Suspects

According to the retired general, OSW gathered evidence strong enough to charge 48 suspects with terrorism financing. However, he said there was persistent pressure to downgrade the charges to money laundering, which he believes was intended to transfer the case to the EFCC—then overseen by individuals he claims were interested in burying the probe.

Ali-Keffi also alleged:

• A top prosecution lawyer assisting the investigation was removed for refusing to compromise.
• Twenty suspects were eventually released without trial.
• The NFIU was pressured to drop terrorism-financing allegations.
• Suspects were warned not to take legal or media action regarding their prolonged detention.

Over 400 Targets, Including Boko Haram Leader Shekau

He disclosed that OSW identified over 400 targets for arrest or elimination, including late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, stating:
“We couldn’t arrest Shekau, so we engineered what happened to him.”

Ali-Keffi insisted that agencies such as the NFIU, EFCC, and the Office of the Attorney-General are best positioned to disclose whether funds linked to terror sponsors were recovered or released.

He maintains that his arrest, detention, and compulsory retirement resulted directly from resisting efforts to obstruct the probe, which he says implicated individuals at the highest levels of power.

Source: Gistreel.com