Retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi has raised alarm over the release of 48 terrorism financing suspects, including individuals identified by foreign intelligence agencies as top Boko Haram leaders, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding their freedom.
Ali-Keffi was appointed in October 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari to lead Operation Service Wide (OSW), a covert task force mandated to investigate terrorism financiers and collaborators.
OSW comprised personnel from the military, intelligence and security agencies, and legal officers from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
It reportedly collaborated with 33 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union, under the cover of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In a recent interview Ali-Keffi alleged that the National Assembly failed to probe the matter due to compromise involving a former Army chief.
He claimed OSW arrested 48 individuals identified as terrorism financiers, including one described as a principal Boko Haram leader by Western and Middle Eastern intelligence agencies.
“A significant amount of the huge funds meant for counterterrorism were shared amongst prominent military and government officials including National Assembly members and others. Putting the terrorism financing suspects on trial would have exposed the misappropriation of these counterterrorism funds and all the beneficiaries. That is why nothing has been done,” he said.
NFIU Findings
Ali-Keffi alleged that the NFIU traced large sums of diverted counterterrorism funds through Bureau De Change operators acting as fronts for top officials.
He questioned the release of Hima Abubakar, whose $600 million offshore account was allegedly traced by the NFIU.
“First, who ordered the release of the 48 terror financing suspects held in military custody? Secondly, why were they released without being put on trial? Thirdly, why did the government request the US to unfreeze the $600m of Hima Abubakar traced by the NFIU to an overseas offshore account?” Ali-Keffi asked.
Abubakar had previously been declared wanted by Nigerian and Nigerien authorities and indicted by the Committee on Defence and Arms Procurement (CADEP) for irregularities in arms procurement.
Concerns Over Saidu Gold
Ali-Keffi also expressed concern over the release of Alhaji Saidu Ahmed (Saidu Gold), identified as a Boko Haram leader. He referenced UAE intelligence documents alleging that Saidu Gold recruited six individuals later jailed in Dubai for terrorism-related offences.
“It is laughable that Saidu Gold was released from Army detention and allowed to walk free despite the abundance of evidence OSW had,” he said.
The retired general recalled that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, had initiated a forensic audit into counterterrorism funds and unexecuted procurement projects.
“He died three days before he was to act on the report,” Ali-Keffi alleged, claiming the audit was suppressed to conceal fund diversion.
Ali-Keffi urged a full-scale investigation into the handling of terrorism financing cases and counterterrorism funds.
“If the NFIU under OSW should ever make its investigations public, I can assure you there will be a tsunami in Nigeria. Many military and government officials, including distinguished members of the National Assembly, would be implicated,” he warned.
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