ABUJA, NIGERIA — Retired Nigerian Army Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi has called for a full investigation into the release of 48 terrorism financing suspects, including an individual identified by foreign intelligence agencies as a Boko Haram leader, who were previously held in military custody.
Ali-Keffi, appointed in October 2020 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari to lead the covert Operation Service Wide (OSW), disclosed that the suspects were central to investigations targeting terrorism financiers and collaborators. The task force involved personnel from the military, intelligence agencies, and legal officers from the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation, working alongside 33 countries, including the US, UK, and EU, under the cover of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).
In an exclusive interview, Ali-Keffi alleged that the National Assembly (NASS) has not addressed the matter due to compromise and raised concerns over the misappropriation of counterterrorism funds.
“A significant amount of the huge funds meant for counterterrorism were shared amongst prominent military and government officials, including NASS members and others,” he said.
He further questioned who authorised the release of the 48 suspects and why they were freed without trial, particularly Hima Abubakar, whose $600 million account was traced to an offshore account and linked to terrorism financing. Ali-Keffi also raised alarm over the release of Alhaji Saidu Ahmed, aka Saidu Gold, identified as a top Boko Haram leader, despite evidence collected by OSW and UAE intelligence tying him to the recruitment of terrorists jailed abroad.
Ali-Keffi highlighted that a forensic audit of counterterrorism and military procurement funds, initiated by the late Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, was never acted upon due to his untimely death, suggesting a pattern of suppression to conceal financial misconduct.
“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 NASS members, would be implicated,” Ali-Keffi warned.
The retired general has urged the government to identify those responsible, ensure accountability, and conduct a thorough probe into the handling of terrorism financing suspects and associated funds.
