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Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)
December 5, 2025
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE

Two suspects were linked to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), two other were linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), while one suspect was linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

A groundbreaking counter-terrorism operation personally approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari has resurfaced in controversy, following explosive revelations by retired Nigerian Army General, Ali-Keffi, who once commanded the 1 Division and served as General Officer Commanding (GOC).

Ali-Keffi was handpicked in 2021 to lead Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency investigative task force mandated to identify Boko Haram’s masterminds, expose their financial backers, and dismantle the networks enabling the insurgency.

But according to the retired general, the operation unearthed far more than expected. It exposed a sprawling network of financiers allegedly tied to senior government officials, influential military officers, and top financial institutions. According to him, what followed was a systematic effort to neutralize the investigation, protect powerful individuals, and silence those behind the probe.

NFIU’s Secret Briefing to Buhari: The Turning Point

Information obtained by SaharaReporters confirms that OSW, working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), arrested several high-profile suspects in March 2021. The arrests were based on detailed financial intelligence that tracked flows of money linked to terrorism financing.

These findings were formally presented to President Buhari in September 2021 under the auspices of the NFIU. According to Ali-Keffi, former Chief of Army Staff General Faruk Yahaya (rtd.) featured prominently in the briefing, though information later linked him to one of the arrested suspects.

Ali-Keffi said the very next month, he was suddenly summoned to the Headquarters of Military Police. On October 18, 2021, he presented himself, only to be detained for several hours after extensive interrogation.

He was then held for 64 days, never charged, never queried, and never tried by any military or civil court before being compulsorily retired.

“Till today, I don’t know my offence,” he said, adding that his arrest was a coordinated attempt to halt the terrorism-financing probe.

He stated that no action was taken on his petition to President Bola Tinubu seeking redress, pushing him to go public and file a case at the National Industrial Court.

He noted that as of now, the court has not sat even once, claiming that court processes were not served on the Nigerian Army, adding that his lawyer strongly suspects “foul play.”

Powerful Individuals Allegedly Linked to Suspects

General Ali-Keffi insists that his comments are not based on anonymous sources but on what he was personally told by the then-Director/CEO of the NFIU at the time, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur Ribadu, who worked directly with OSW.

According to him, two suspects arrested by OSW were linked to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).

Also, two other suspects were linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), while one suspect was linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.

Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd) was linked to one suspect.

“I am not accusing Buratai, Malami, or Emefiele of terrorism financing,” Ali-Keffi clarified.

“But I was informed by the former NFIU Director that investigations linked them to some of the suspects. I don’t know if they were later cleared but up to the time that I was arrested, detained, compulsorily retired and taken off the OSW, they were linked to some of the suspects.”

He also revealed that Buratai reportedly asked the then-NFIU boss to “prevail on me to release two suspects.” Ali-Keffi said he refused and instead informed Buhari directly, without naming Buratai.

According to Ali-Keffi, Buhari reacted angrily, telling him, “You report to me and to me alone.”

He further clarified that none of the powerful individuals were directly found to be involved in terrorism.

He said, “Let me state again that the former Director of NFIU told me that Gen. Buratai, Malami, Emefiele and Gen. Yahaya respectively were linked to some of the suspects based on business connections.

“Note that a lot of the suspects were engaged in legitimate business, which was Bureau De Change which however, we suspected were ‘cover’ for their other nefarious activity, which was, terrorism financing.

“Throughout the time that I headed the OSW, we did not establish that Gen. Buratai, Emefiele, Malami and Gen. Yahaya, were linked with terrorism financing or knew that the suspects that they were linked with were involved in terrorism financing.”

$600Million Offshore Account And Attempted $50Million Bribe

One of the international suspects, Aboubacar Hima, was found to own an offshore account containing about $600 million, which the OSW traced through the NFIU. The Nigerian team alerted the United States, whose Financial Intelligence Unit subsequently froze the account.

Ali-Keffi said he was later told by the then-NFIU boss that someone acting for Hima offered $50 million for Nigeria to inform the US that it had “no issues” with the funds, effectively unfreezing the account.

Ali-Keffi said he rejected the offer.

Upon his release from detention, he was informed that the Nigerian government eventually wrote to the US requesting that the account be unfrozen.

According to him, Buhari told the NFIU boss to “reconcile with Malami” over their “differences.”

Efforts to Derail Investigation

Ali-Keffi stated that the OSW had gathered extensive evidence for terrorism-financing charges against 48 suspects in custody. However, he said he faced persistent pressure to downgrade the charges to money laundering, something he believed was designed to divert the case to the EFCC, which at the time was under the influence of Malami and chaired by Abdulrasheed Bawa, Malami’s relative.

He alleged that a top prosecution lawyer assisting OSW was removed without explanation after refusing to compromise her stance that terrorism-financing charges were warranted.

The AGF’s office failed to obtain necessary court orders for asset forfeiture and instead applied only for detention orders.

According to him, the presidency and powerful officials “wanted to kill the investigation.”

“After my release from detention, I was told by Hamman-Tukur Ribadu that the Nigerian Government wrote to the US to unfreeze the account,” he said.

“Let me state that in the course of the investigation, sometime in August or September 2021, Abubakar removed one of the top prosecution lawyers who was assisting the OSW to build up the case without any explanation to me. I later learned that she refused to compromise her stance, which was that we (OSW) had sufficient evidence to present in court on charges of terrorism financing against all the 48 suspects that were in OSW custody.

“I recall that I stated in my letter of redress that pressure was being mounted on me to build a case of money laundering against the individuals and not terrorism financing.

“I suspected that the powers-that-be at the time wanted the case to be transferred to the EFCC, which is under the control of the Attorney General. The Chairman at the time was Mr Bawa, a relative of Malami.

“They wanted to ‘kill’ the investigation but my insistence and that of the lady from the AGF office, who was removed, made the Presidency to go after me by getting the Army to come up with trumped-up allegations against me.”

Release of the Suspects After His Removal

Following Ali-Keffi’s removal, detention, and compulsory retirement, OSW was effectively halted.

He revealed that the suspects arrested by OSW were eventually released.

None of the 20 top suspects, nor others arrested, were ever charged to court.

The suspects were allegedly warned not to speak to the media or take legal action over their nine-month detention.

He said these details were confirmed to him by an insider.

“I understand that the 20 suspects were never charged or taken to court. They were all released. I was made to understand from an insider that they (the suspects before they were released) were warned not to go to the media, or to go to the court as a result of their detention for over nine months. NFIU was pressured to drop the accusation of terrorism financing,” he said.

List of Over 400 Targets, Including Boko Haram Leader Shekau

Perhaps the most explosive detail came from Ali-Keffi’s disclosure that OSW had a list of over 400 individuals to be arrested or eliminated.

The list included the late Boko Haram’s most notorious commander, Abubakar Shekau.

“Some of the 20 top suspects are part of the 48 that the OSW arrested,” he said.

“We had a list of suspects to be arrested or eliminated containing over 400 individuals. Shekau was in the list. Of course, we couldn’t arrest Shekau and so we ’engineered’ what happened to him.”

Ali-Keffi insists that the NFIU, EFCC, and the Office of the Attorney-General are in the best position to explain whether the funds traced to the terror sponsor suspects were recovered or released.

The former GOC maintains that his ordeal, including arrest, detention, and forced retirement, was a direct result of resisting attempts to obstruct a terrorism-financing investigation that touched some of Nigeria’s most powerful individuals.

SaharaReporters

He stated that no action was taken on his petition to President Bola Tinubu seeking redress, pushing him to go public and file a case at the National Industrial Court.

The revelations are shocking. This is the time to take a second look at the report of the panel that investigated the investigation.

Y'all can now see the reasons malami went extra mile to kidnap MNK because he was mentioned him as one of the terrorist financiers. Interesting days ahead.

Toh

We are waiting for the names of the powerful Nigerians

Of course all the terrorists and their sympathizers where in and out of government. Wicked souls.

So when are they arresting these

The work done by Ali-Keffi and his team should be properly studied and documented for future reference. There are many lessons to be learned.

Burutai is that snake guy na

I just suspected he was shady

Go just dey make mouth

Lol... How come all the people he mentioned are enemies of this government? APC and propaganda ehn!

This is an interesting revelation. I hope those who are supposed to investigate this do their job thoroughly, to either clear the names of those linked or bring the guilty to justice.

EXCLUSIVE: SaharaReporters Uncovers 23 Suspected Terror Financiers With Billions In Suspicious Transactions
December 5, 2025
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE

The network identified in this report spans both Nigerian and international actors, with clear links to convicted individuals involved in terrorism.

SaharaReporters has obtained detailed information on a network of 20 Nigerian and three international individuals suspected of financing and facilitating terrorism, particularly linked to Boko Haram activities.

The investigation traces their personal data, financial transactions, and associations, highlighting links to convicted individuals and international arms and funds transfers.

SaharaReporters gathered that the Nigerian suspects, arrested in 2021, were subsequently released under questionable circumstances.

Local Suspects

1. Alhaji Saidu Ahmed

Alhaji Saidu Ahmed, also known as Alh Saidu or Alhaji Saidu Gold, born on July 6, 1961, is a Nigerian businessman residing in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Identified as a key financier of Boko Haram, he is connected to multiple associates and convicts through extensive financial transactions.

His accounts have recorded inflows totaling N4.8 billion, with frequent cash withdrawals. He is directly linked to convicts Surajo Abubakar Muhammad, Ibrahim Ali Alhassan, and Bashir Aliyu Yusuf, as noted in UAE court proceedings.

2. Usaini Adamu

Born on 2nd March 1963 in Nigeria, Usaini Adamu, also known as Baba Hussaini or Hussaini Adamu, is a businessman operating in Kano. Serving as a guarantor for convicts’ accounts, his BVN-linked accounts, 111 across nine banks, reflect inflows and outflows exceeding N43 billion and N50 billion, respectively.

He has been implicated in facilitating the procurement of weapons and other logistical support for terrorist activities.

3. Muhammad Sani Adam

Muhammad Sani, born March 28, 1978, is a businessman and trader in forex and precious stones, operating in Kano and Yola.

His 41 BVN-linked accounts across 14 banks reveal inflows of N54.1 billion and outflows of N54.4 billion, primarily in transfers to and from known convicts. He is recognized as the right-hand associate of Alhaji Saidu.

4. Abubakar Adamu Yellow

Abubakar Adamu Yellow, aka Yellow Amfani, born on October 18, 1968, is a Kano-based businessman with 42 accounts across 13 banks.

Between 2014 and 2019, he executed transfers amounting to tens of millions of naira to convicts and key associates of Alhaji Saidu.

His total inflow and outflow over recent years stand at N61.4 billion and N51.7 billion, respectively, signaling suspicious financial activity.

5. Murtala Abdullahi Jega

Born on December 1, 1970, Murtala Jega is a Kano-based businessman and BDC operator with 94 accounts in nine banks.

He received N60 million from convict Bashir Ali Yusuf and transferred funds to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities, reportedly used in procuring weapons for terrorist activities. He also received significant sums from associates of convicted individuals, reflecting deep entanglement in illicit networks.

6. Sadiq Garba Abubakar

Sadiq Garba Abubakar, born on May 10, 1980, operates as a trader in Kano and Abuja.

With 30 accounts across 13 banks, he transferred over N1.65 billion to convict Surajo Abubakar Muhammad between 2015 and 2017, as well as additional funds to other convicted individuals and their associates, establishing him as a central figure in financing operations.

Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)
Dec 05, 2025
Image
Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)
7. Hussaini Adamu

Hussaini Adamu, born on May 2, 1974, is a Kano-based businessman with financial links to convicts totaling billions of naira, transferring funds among members of the network. His role has been pivotal in facilitating funds across convicts’ circles.

8. Mustapha Ibrahim Yakubu

Born on December 12, 1966, Mustapha Yakubu is a businessman operating between Wuse and Kano.

His 39 BVN-linked accounts reveal significant transfers, including N2 billion to Bahafs Global and N345 million to Murtala Jega, tying him to arms and logistics operations supporting Boko Haram.

9. Ali Abdullahi Yusuf

Ali Abdullahi Yusuf, born 9th September 1982, is a businessman based in Kano and elder brother of convicts Ibrahim Ali Alhassan and Bashir Ali Yusuf.

His 43 accounts across 11 banks show transactions with Surajo Abubakar Muhammad and more than 40 associates, underscoring his involvement in the financing network.

10. Nasiru Shuaibu

Nasiru Shuaibu, born on June 15, 1973, operates between Gusau and Minna.

His 17 accounts across 10 banks recorded large inflows from convicts and other key associates, including N5.4 billion transferred from Muhammad Sani, highlighting significant financial facilitation.

11. Yusuf Ghazali

Born on March 18, 1982, Yusuf Ghazali is a forex trader in Kano with 385 accounts across 10 banks. He transferred funds to multiple convicts and is named in UAE court judgments as a facilitator of terrorist financing from Dubai to Nigeria.

Financiers

12. Mansur Muhammad Usman

Mansur Usman, born on April 22, 1981, is a textile dealer in Kano. He was repeatedly identified in UAE judgments as a money transfer agent for Boko Haram, facilitating transfers of millions of naira and recruiting individuals into terrorist activities. He maintained 18 accounts across 13 banks.

13. Yazid Usman Muhammad

Born on November 5, 1985, Yazid Muhammad is a businessman in Kano with five accounts across three banks. Between 2015 and 2018, he received N830,950 from Mansur Usman Muhammad and is mentioned in UAE court judgments as a money transfer agent supporting terrorist financing.

14. Alhaji Musa Emma

Musa Emma, born on February 1, 1962, operates in Maiduguri with 15 accounts across eight banks.

His accounts recorded consistent cash withdrawals exceeding N2.4 billion, with large inflows from convicts and their networks, suggesting a central role in money laundering and terrorist financing.

15. Modu Sulum

Born on September 7, 1972 in Maiduguri, Borno State, Modu Sulum maintains a single BVN-linked account. He has financial links with Musa Emma and other suspects in Maiduguri, an epicenter of the group’s operations, indicating involvement in coordinated financial activities.

16. Adamu Aliyu Kanoma

A jewellery dealer born on January 1, 1970 in Gusau, Zamfara, Adamu Aliyu Kanoma holds 83 accounts across 11 banks.

He executed cumulative cash withdrawals over N10 billion between 2016 and 2020, received funds from Bashir Ali Yusuf and other associates, and transacted with over 22 associates of the convicts and Alhaji Saidu.

17. Habibu Muhammad Usama

Habibu Usama, born on June 7, 1978, is a businessman in Gusau with 39 accounts across 12 banks.

He received N65 million from convicts, transferred N3 million to Alhaji Saidu, and conducted cash withdrawals exceeding N7 billion, indicating significant involvement in terrorist financial networks.

18. Nurudeen Gani Aliyu

Also known as Alhaji Nura, born on December 31, 1967, Nurudeen Gani Aliyu operates as a businessman and BDC operator in Sokoto.

His 218 accounts across 10 banks facilitated large transfers to Leaf Tobacco & Commodities and other entities, establishing him as a major financier of Boko Haram activities in Nigeria.

19. Ladan Ibrahim

Born on March 7, 1968, Ladan Ibrahim is a public servant and chairman of the Sokoto Pilgrims Welfare Agency.

His 47 accounts across five banks transferred significant sums to Alhaji Nura Gani Aliyu and affiliated entities, linking public funds to terrorist financing channels.

20. Sadiq Garba Abubakar

Included above as a central financier with multiple transactions to convicts and their associates.

Meanwhile, the international suspects were listed as Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa, his son, Paul Nkwaya and Aboubacar Hima.

1. Tribert Rujugiro Ayabatwa

Born on March 1, 1940 in Rwanda, Ayabatwa, who died in April 2024, was a businessman and tobacco dealer with residences in Nigeria and South Africa.

His 70 accounts across 13 banks show inflows of N67 billion and outflows of N34 billion. He received funds from Alhaji Nura Gani and facilitated offshore transfers to South Africa linked to the convicts’ financial networks.

2. Paul Nkwaya, a Rwandan businessman born on August 7, 1967, is the son of the late Ayabatwa. They co-owned Leaf Tobacco & Commodities.

He shares the same 70 BVN-linked accounts and was involved in receiving and transferring funds connected to convicts and terrorist financing operations.

3. Aboubacar Hima

Born on March 18, 1973 in Niger, Hima, also known as Petit, was identified by the investigating Nigerian authorities as an arms dealer operating in Abuja.

His 35 accounts across two Nigerian banks facilitated transfers exceeding $1.19 million from the UAE to convicts’ associates. He is under investigation for criminal conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud involving hundreds of millions in multiple currencies.

The network identified in this report spans both Nigerian and international actors, with clear links to convicted individuals involved in terrorism.

The financial trails, cross-border transactions, and repeated mentions in UAE court judgments indicate a coordinated effort to fund and support terrorist operations, warranting further monitoring and prosecution.

SaharaReporters

EXCLUSIVE: SaharaReporters Uncovers 23 Suspected Terror Financiers With Billions In Suspicious Transactions

https://www.nairaland.com/8575502/terror-suspects-alleged-financiers-linked#137699605

Salewa97:
Toh

We are waiting for the names of the powerful Nigerians

The names are already mentioned up there you mouth breather.

Those that always call for the head of Sahara reporters, how market?

‘They Targeted Me’: Retired Army General's Detention Ordeal, Alleged Assassination Plot Under Buhari Govt After Exposing Suspected Terrorism Financiers
December 5, 2025
NEWS

However, rather than receiving institutional support, Ali-Keffi alleged that powerful interests moved against him once he began uncovering sensitive information.

A retired senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, has narrated how he was forced out of service, detained in solitary confinement, and subjected to humiliating treatment after uncovering individuals he described as suspected financiers and sponsors of terrorism in Nigeria.

Ali-Keffi, who once commanded the Army’s 1 Division as General Officer Commanding (GOC), said his ordeal began shortly after he was appointed in 2021 to lead Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency investigative task force mandated to identify Boko Haram masterminds, expose their financial backers, and dismantle networks supporting the insurgency.

According to the retired General, he was handpicked during the Muhammadu Buhari administration to steer the sensitive operation.

He said OSW’s mandate included tracking the financial architecture sustaining Boko Haram and identifying high-profile individuals linked to the group.

However, rather than receiving institutional support, Ali-Keffi alleged that powerful interests moved against him once he began uncovering sensitive information.

64 Days In Solitary Confinement And Forced Retirement

Ali-Keffi said he was later arrested and detained for 64 days in solitary confinement, where he slept on the floor, resulting in what he described as serious health consequences.

He said this period of detention preceded the process that ultimately forced him out of the Nigerian Army.

“When I reported, they even stripped me of my shoes, belt, wrist watches and money,” he stated.

‘Presidency Told Me Not To Report To NARC’

The retired General narrated that during his initial interrogation, he was questioned about why he did not report to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) after being removed as GOC on August 8, 2021.

He insisted that he followed instructions allegedly relayed from the Presidency, saying, “I responded that the Presidency told me not to report. The liaison between me and President Buhari told me that it was the former President’s directive. So, I complied for a while until I smelled a rat.”

Ali-Keffi said he believed former President Buhari was not genuinely committed to the counter-terrorism project he oversaw. He linked this to an earlier investigation he led in 2020 into 295 fuel-laden tankers smuggled into Benin Republic through Ilesa Baruba in Kwara State.

According to him, the findings from that investigation, which were submitted to the Presidency, placed Buhari in a difficult position. The report recommended that the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) trace individuals involved in terrorism financing, and Buhari publicly accepted these recommendations in February 2020.

Ali-Keffi said the NFIU later conducted extensive work, collaborating with 33 foreign financial intelligence agencies and securing documents such as a certified translated copy of the Dubai Judgment Report.

The NFIU reportedly submitted its findings directly to Buhari and recommended establishing Operation Service Wide (OSW) as an independent task force staffed by credible personnel from the military and intelligence agencies. He believed Buhari accepted this proposal reluctantly because the evidence presented by the NFIU made it difficult to reject.

As OSW proceeded, especially after the arrest of suspects linked to prominent Nigerians and the killing of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau, which he attributed partly to OSW’s activities, resistance began to mount.

Terror Sponsors Behind Air Crash That Killed Former Nigerian Chief Of Army Staff, Attahiru, Claims Retired General Ali-Keffi
Jan 22, 2024
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Terror Sponsors Behind Air Crash That Killed Former Nigerian Chief Of Army Staff, Attahiru, Claims Retired General Ali-Keffi
Ali-Keffi said he received intelligence suggesting that powerful individuals felt threatened and planned his elimination. He also claimed that these individuals deceived Buhari by alleging that he and the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, posed a threat to the administration.

He suggested that Attahiru’s death in the May 2021 military plane crash may have been connected to these tensions, although he acknowledged he could not prove this.

“I learned from credible intelligence sources, but I can’t prove this, that the powerful individuals who planned our elimination first lied to the President that Attahiru and I were a threat to his regime,” he said.

“Now, whether Buhari approved the elimination of Attahiru in the manner that he and the other nine passengers were killed in an aircraft explosion, I cannot say.”

He questioned the federal government’s reaction to the crash, noting that neither Buhari nor Vice President Yemi Osinbajo attended the funeral in Abuja the following day despite being in the city.

He contrasted this with the high-level attendance at the burial of the late General Lagbaja under the Tinubu administration, saying, “However, the absence of Buhari, his vice (Osinbajo) as well as a high powered FGN delegation at the funeral in Abuja the day after the incident, May 22, 2021, despite that they (Buhari and Osinbajo) were both in town indicated that something was amiss.

“Recall the burial of Late General Lagbaja. Not only was Tinubu and Shettima present but the leadership of NASS, the Judiciary and so many other prominent politicians were present.”

Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)
Dec 05, 2025
Image
Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)

Ali-Keffi said he was informed that President Buhari would direct then-Minister of Defence, Gen. Salihi Magashi (rtd.), to instruct the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to reverse his posting to NARC since he was on a presidential assignment. But when no action was taken, he grew suspicious.

Fearing for his life, he said he decided to turn himself in rather than rely on assurances from those he believed were involved in a plot against him.

Alleged Plot To Assassinate Him On Abuja–Kaduna Highway

He also stated that credible intelligence reached him indicating that a plan had been put in place to assassinate him on the Abuja–Kaduna highway, staged to appear as an attack by bandits.

“When nothing was forthcoming, and I got reliable information that the Presidency was part of the plot to ‘deal’ with me, I had to turn myself in,” he said.

“Furthermore, I received credible intelligence that a plan had been made to assassinate me along the Abuja-Kaduna highway and then to make it appear as a bandit attack, I knew that I couldn’t trust whatever Buhari or the Presidency were telling me. I believed that I was being set up.”

‘They Feared What Would Come To Light In Court’

While in detention, and later in retirement, Ali-Keffi said he learned that his persecution was linked to claims that he had not shown respect to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya, while serving as GOC 1 Division.

He questioned why, if this was the case, he was not arrested immediately after his removal, but instead taken into custody two months later, on October 18, 2021, without being properly posted for jurisdiction.

The retired General further queried why due process was not followed, asking, “Why didn’t they follow due process before throwing me out of the Military by placing me on charge as well as court martial me?”

He contrasted his treatment with that of ex-Major Generals H.O. Otiki and U.M. Mohammed, who he said were charged and court-martialled for offences he considered “far less serious” than what he was accused of.

According to him, the failure to subject him to a proper legal process stemmed from fear that exposing details of OSW’s findings in court would damage the reputation of powerful individuals.

High-Profile Links To Terror Financing

Ali-Keffi insisted that he still does not know the actual offence for which he was targeted, arguing that his uncompromising stance and the sensitive information he uncovered during Operation Service Wide placed him at odds with influential figures.

“I don’t know the offence(s) that I committed. I believe that my uncompromising stance coupled with the information I had on some prominent individuals as a result of their links to some of the suspects led to my ordeal,” he said.

“They (powerful individuals) knew that they would be implicated if we proceeded with the operation (OSW) and more importantly, if we had arraigned the suspects in court.”

Al-Keffi’s 2023 Letter To Tinubu

In a letter dated June 21, 2023, retired Ali-Keffi informed President Bola Tinubu that he faced severe backlash following the success of OSW, the covert counter-terrorism task force he led.

He said OSW’s efforts to disrupt Boko Haram’s financing networks threatened powerful individuals in government, the military, and the Presidency, including a senior banker, who he believed were either benefiting from or collaborating with the criminal activities of the insurgents.

According to him, the dangers facing the task force were so significant that some OSW personnel considered the May 21, 2021 air crash that killed General Ibrahim Attahiru and others to be suspicious.

In his letter, he noted that after handing over command of 1 Division on August 10, 2021, Ali-Keffi went to the Presidential Villa to brief then-President Muhammadu Buhari on his redeployment.

Document
Ali-Keffi.pdf
He said Buhari instructed him to continue leading OSW and assured him that his posting to the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) would be amended so the assignment would not be affected.

He continued working with OSW based on this assurance and was later informed that the Minister of Defence had been directed to ensure the adjustment of his redeployment.

Ali-Keffi said he was shocked when, in mid-October 2021, he received an invitation from the Provost Marshal (Army) to appear for an investigation interview.

After notifying the Presidency and receiving reassurance, he honoured the invitation on October 18, accompanied by OSW’s legal adviser. That day, he was detained, stripped of personal items, and held in solitary confinement.

His detention lasted 64 days.

He described the experience as humiliating and traumatic. He said he slept mostly on the bare floor, underwent repeated interrogations, and was denied communication with his family, who were unaware of his location throughout his detention.

Despite presenting documents indicating that he was on a presidential assignment, investigators continued to question him, including seeking information about his bank accounts.

He said financial checks revealed nothing and that investigators then accused him of treason and undermining counter-terrorism operations.

As part of the investigation, four secretly recorded private phone calls between him and the Military Secretary (Army) were played back, although he insisted they contained nothing incriminating.

Ali-Keffi said the questioning demonstrated that the detention had nothing to do with his posting to NARC and that investigators appeared to be searching for evidence against him.

He stated that he was subjected to physical and psychological pressure and was denied medical treatment for an ENT condition until he collapsed and was hospitalised for three days in a prison medical facility.

On December 21, 2021, he was released and immediately handed a letter conveying his compulsory retirement from the Nigerian Army.

He said the manner of his exit, after more than 30 years of service and an unblemished career, including training at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, amounted to a humiliating dismissal despite carrying out a presidential directive.

He noted that he had previously served the army with distinction, attended various professional military courses, and represented Nigeria at international engagements, including serving as chief planner for the U.S.–Africa Land Forces Training Conference held in Abuja in April 2018.

“In my opinion, the OSW was closing in on the top government, military and other powerful officials who were either involved in TF of the BHT and other insurgents' or were benefitting from the criminality which were ongoing in the northern part of the country,” he said in his letter.

“The mistreatment that I received under the former administration was, in my opinion, to protect the criminal enterprise which BHT and other insurgents' groups represent.”

SaharaReporters

‘They Targeted Me’: Retired Army General's Detention Ordeal, Alleged Assassination Plot Under Buhari Govt After Exposing Suspected Terrorism Financiers

HgAkpobomeEr:
The revelations are shocking. This is the time to take a second look at the report of the panel that investigated the investigation.

Sit down and ask your self how many politicians are they sponsoring in the past and present government, this case has been matched under the carpet

Iamfraud
Ngeneukuenu
Peterobiisathe
Oyigboupdate
Mazisimonekpa
Noerection
Noleflendum
Okoro
Wediehere1
Putindbutt
Peacemaker5129


This must be

Nnamdi Kanu
IPOB
IGBO
ESN
Simon Ekpa
BIAFRA


Can you speak?

Awon sophisticated propagandist.

This is explosive!

fuckingAyaya:
Y'all can now see the reasons malami went extra mile to kidnap MNK because he was mentioned him as one of the terrorist financiers. Interesting days ahead.

.
Yes! That's why Yorubas shouldn't have meddled jn this MNK matter at all. The Fula people who started it should have been left to finish it. Tinubu should just pardon that guy and give him house arrest for a while, then give Biafra a fair hearing. Let every region that wants to pull out of this yeye country be allowed to go. Meanwhile, that Yoruba judge needs to apologise for working for the Fula people. He is a snitch!

This is a Sahara scoop. All other news sources are dead and dumb to it
Could it be a false alert? I doubt. It is too detailed and analytical to be the figment of anyone's imagination.
What I think is the story is real.
Malami is about to have it rough
Some people are going down

So, basically, nobody was charged and everybody was released. Good to know.

We told you Nigeria is a zoo

20 suspect arrested all released and not charged to Court

A Shadow illegal agency operating under the president with a Mandate to carry out assassination

No wonder the fool could not bring his case to court and now how can we know the financiers of terrorrism in Nigeria

This is the same group that came to assassinate KANU in his village when he was under bail

They killed more than 22 people that day just to assassinate KANU

And he is here saying injustice and asking for industrial court to intervee

This man needs his day in court to explain to the whole country what is OSW who founded it, what acts did they carry out and who they arrested

The govt was busy chasing money changers but the question is who sent those money from UAE to finance terror in Nigeria and who is supplying the weapons either for kind or cash that is being used to kill maim rape and destroy people's lives

these are just Wike's hand... he wants to fight the northerners for supporting Yerima.

I'm surprised that most Nigerian can not tell when stuffs like this happened

Singing time . Canary bird

I hope these guys are truly willing to end the monster. Because, UAE give a comprehensive list of sponsors and recently, a senator raised the issue up on the floor. What's stopping them to make it a prayer in the plenary? Fingers crossed

Salewa97:
Toh

We are waiting for the names of the powerful Nigerians

What a country. If this is true. E don finish for us

Omo things dey occur behind the scenes for this Nigeria.
Dem just dey use BBN, davido & Chioma, Regina daniels/her husband, VDM, burna boy vs Chief priest, Sex tape etc. They use decieve and divert the citizen's attention.

adamkkk:
these are just Wike's hand... he wants to fight the northerners for supporting Yerima.

I'm surprised that most Nigerian can not tell when stuffs like this happened

this matter big pass wike. The issue is on another level. A Matter that was able to bribe a whole Nigeria Govt according to the article.

Everybody knows malami is link with foreign bandits that’s what makes him more popular and powerful , the only good thing this guy has done for Nigeria is capturing Nnmadi Kanu!

The investigation into terrorism financing was clearly obstructed to protect powerful interests. The Buhari administration was determined to get to the root of it, but the establishment fought back.

Former AGF Malami Denies Terrorism Financing, Claims He Was Involved In 'Lawful Professional Engagements'
December 6, 2025
NEWS

Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, has formally rejected insinuations linking him to alleged terrorism financing.

In a detailed statement on Friday, Malami claimed that at no point in his public life — during or after his tenure — has he been summoned, questioned, targeted or investigated by any security, regulatory or intelligence authority in Nigeria or abroad in relation to terrorism financing.

“I state clearly and unequivocally that I have never at any time been accused, invited, interrogated, investigated or charged by any security, law-enforcement, regulatory or intelligence agency—within or outside Nigeria—in respect of terrorism financing or any related offence,” the former AGF asserted.

The retired military officer quoted in the report, according to Malami, only referenced that some unnamed terror suspects allegedly had “institutional” or “business” dealings with various persons, but did not conclude that such interactions amounted to direct or indirect support for terrorism.

“That important clarification was unfortunately overshadowed by a headline and framing capable of misleading well-meaning members of the public into drawing inaccurate and damaging conclusions,” he noted, accusing political adversaries of hijacking the narrative and deploying it for targeted smear operations.

“To suggest that lawful professional or institutional engagements can, without more, be read as evidence of terrorism financing is both mischievous and unjust,” he maintained.

“During my tenure, I worked with domestic and international partners to strengthen—not undermine—Nigeria’s anti-terror-financing regime. Any attempt to recast this as complicity is politically motivated and devoid of evidentiary basis,” he said.

“Public discourse must differentiate between verified intelligence and politically massaged narratives presented as investigative findings,” he cautioned.

EFCC had recently grilled Malami (SAN), over sundry issues after which he was granted bail.

Top sources revealed to SaharaReporters that Malami was in the EFCC custody on Friday and was almost going to spend the night because of the bail conditions given to him.

"Malami is in EFCC custody, he's looking for two permanent Secretary for bail conditions," one of the sources had revealed at that time.

"Update on Malami is that he got bail by providing two top level civil servants after interrogation yesterday (Friday)," another source informed last Saturday morning.

Earlier, the former AGF announced that he had been invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to provide clarification on "certain issues."

In a statement shared on his Facebook page last Friday, Malami had assured Nigerians that, as a law-abiding citizen, he was willing to comply with the commission’s invitation without hesitation.

“I am informing my family and friends that EFCC has invited me to clarify on some issues, and as a citizen of law and order and patriot, I am willing to honour this invitation without any hesitation,” he had stated.

“On this note, I am informing Nigerians of any development that will follow, so that everyone will be aware of what is going to go back to because of his current life and history."

Malami has faced allegations of corruption and abuse of office, but has not been formally charged.

SaharaReporters had in a series of reports exposed wide-ranging legitimacy issues, including non-execution of agreed contracts and backdoor deals raised against the indebtedness from various quarters.

One of the beneficiaries is one Dr Ted Iseghahi Edwards, who was indicted by the EFCC.

Documents seen by SaharaReporters showed that Edwards did not represent the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) as claimed.

A letter dated August 1, 2018, by former EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to the Ministry of Justice/Attorney General Office, indicted him of an attempt to defraud the Nigerian government.

SaharaReporters gathered that despite the report, Malami persuaded then President Muhammadu Buhari to approve $159 million as legal fees to Edward. They also directed the DMO and the Ministry of Finance to release the promissory notes to Edward and others so that they could take their shares, a source had said.

SaharaReporters

In a detailed statement on Friday, Malami claimed that at no point in his public life — during or after his tenure — has he been summoned, questioned, targeted or investigated by any security, regulatory or intelligence authority in Nigeria or abroad in relation to terrorism financing.

Names Of Boko Haram Sponsors Exposed
Dr. Omoshola Deji


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prvCdoFclnw?si=7UxlmA4N7H6If9da

EXCLUSIVE: Intelligence Report Exposes Kidnapping, Bandit Syndicates Across Northern Nigeria
December 8, 2025
NEWS
EXCLUSIVE

A comprehensive investigation into the activities of kidnappers and bandits across northern Nigeria reveals a complex web of criminal operations involving suspected kingpins, collaborators, and potential connections with politically exposed persons.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) findings, based on a September 2020 intelligence report, span the North-West and North-East regions and provide detailed insights into the identities, movements, and alleged activities of hundreds of suspects.

North-West Axis: Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna Under Siege

The report highlights the North-West as a hotspot for kidnapping and banditry, with Katsina, Zamfara, and Kaduna states heavily affected.

Several high-profile suspects were identified in the report.

According to the report, Samaila Ibrahim (aka Kachalla, Dan Antuna), 24, operating out of Kaduna and Katsina, was reportedly involved in the abduction of Abdullahi Carpenter along the Kaduna–Abuja Expressway.

He is suspected of sourcing weapons or drugs through an associate, “Iliya Kaya.”

Aliyu Abubakar Umar, aka Lalbi 1 and Laibi 2, 25, is linked to multiple kidnappers and is suspected to have connections with law enforcement collaborators and local political figures.

Aish Buhari, 35, allegedly communicates internationally with France and Ghana and has strong ties to the Lalbi network.

Nasiru Mani, aka Sada Lawal, 26, a suspected kidnapper in Katsina, reportedly coordinates with Ibrahim Umaru (Ardo Alti) and receives communications from the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) at odd hours, suggesting possible logistical support for banditry operations.

Umar Sani (Uzairu), 83, maintains communications with suspected kidnappers at flashpoints across the North-West.

The report also identifies several suspected informants and logistics operators, including Ashiru Salisu, Shaaibu Sulaiman, and Sani Farouk, who allegedly provide critical support for abductions, ransom collection, and coordination across Katsina and Zamfara.

SaharaReporters

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) findings, based on a September 2020 intelligence report, span the North-West and North-East regions and provide detailed insights into the identities, movements, and alleged activities of hundreds of suspects.