A senior officer of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Gabriel E. Archibong, has reportedly been in military detention since early January 2026 over alleged links to a retired Major General, Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi.
Sources say three other individuals—two soldiers and a civilian—are also being held in connection with the case. They include Sergeant Zakari Lawali, said to be Archibong’s personal assistant; Corporal Adekanye Olaoluwa, his driver; and Ismaila, a civilian staff member in his household. His domestic workers, including a cook and gardener, were also reportedly detained during the investigation.
According to insiders, Archibong’s arrest is tied to his association and communication with Ali-Keffi, who has been involved in a legal dispute with former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd).
Following his arrest, Archibong was reportedly taken to his residence in Lugbe, Abuja, where soldiers carried out a search that lasted several hours. While nothing incriminating was said to have been found, his phones and laptop were seized.
Archibong currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army in Minna, Niger State—a key position responsible for shaping military training and operations.
Ali-Keffi, at the centre of the controversy, previously led Operation Service Wide, a covert presidential task force set up to investigate and prosecute terrorism financing and related crimes. He has since filed a lawsuit at the National Industrial Court, alleging unlawful detention, torture, and forced retirement from the military.
In his suit, Ali-Keffi claims he was held for over two months without charge and subjected to rights violations. He is seeking significant financial compensation and the reversal of his compulsory retirement, insisting he should be recognised as having retired voluntarily.
He has also alleged that investigations carried out by his task force uncovered links between suspected terrorism financiers and several high-profile figures in government and the military. However, he clarified that he did not directly accuse those individuals of sponsoring terrorism but noted connections uncovered during intelligence operations.
Ali-Keffi further claimed that some of the suspects arrested during the investigation were later released while he remained in detention, and that he and his family received threats following the developments.
Meanwhile, sources within the military have expressed concern over Archibong’s continued detention, warning it could impact his career and well-being. Some have also alleged internal power struggles may be influencing the situation.
As of now, military authorities have not issued an official statement detailing the circumstances surrounding the arrest or the ongoing investigation.
