Security Breach? Ex-General Reveals How Terrorism Financing Suspects Escaped Justice

A retired Major General of the Nigerian Army, Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, has demanded a far-reaching probe into the release of 48 suspects accused of financing terrorism, among them a man reportedly flagged by foreign intelligence agencies as a senior Boko Haram figure, who were previously in military custody.

Ali-Keffi, who was appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in October 2020 to head the secretive Operation Service Wide (OSW), said the manner in which the suspects were freed poses grave threats to national security.

OSW was set up to investigate terrorism financiers and their collaborators and was made up of personnel from the military, intelligence and other security agencies, as well as legal officers from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation.

In an interview with SaharaReporters, Ali-Keffi revealed that the task force worked with about 33 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, operating through the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

He alleged that the National Assembly failed to properly investigate the matter due to what he described as compromises linked to a former Chief of Army Staff.

According to the retired general, OSW arrested 48 individuals identified as terrorism financiers, including one regarded by Western and Middle Eastern intelligence services as a leading Boko Haram commander.

He claimed that enormous sums earmarked for counterterrorism were allegedly diverted and shared among influential military officers, government officials and some lawmakers.

“Taking these terrorism financing suspects to court would have exposed how counterterrorism funds were misused and who benefited from them. That is why the case was buried,” he said.

Ali-Keffi further alleged that the NFIU uncovered how large amounts of counterterrorism funds were funneled through some of the suspects, who allegedly used Bureau De Change businesses as fronts.

“These funds were allegedly laundered for senior military and government officials,” he said, adding that the same channels were also used to finance Boko Haram operations.

He questioned the release of Hima Abubakar, whose account containing about $600 million was reportedly traced by the NFIU to an offshore location.

“Who ordered the release of the 48 terror financing suspects held by the military? Everyone involved must be identified,” he said.

“Why were they freed without facing trial? And why did the Nigerian government ask the United States to unfreeze the $600 million linked to Hima Abubakar?”

Ali-Keffi recalled that Abubakar had been declared wanted by Nigerian and Nigerien authorities and had also been indicted by the Committee on Defence and Arms Procurement (CADEP) over irregularities in arms purchases.

“So why did the government push for the unfreezing of his account after CADEP found him liable for owing the country a huge sum?” he asked.

He also raised concerns about the release of Alhaji Saidu Ahmed, popularly known as Saidu Gold, whom he described as a top Boko Haram figure.

“It is shocking that Saidu Gold was released from military detention and allowed to go free despite overwhelming evidence gathered by OSW,” he said.

Ali-Keffi cited intelligence reports from the United Arab Emirates, which allegedly showed that Saidu Gold recruited six individuals who were later convicted and jailed in Dubai for terrorism-related crimes.

“Yet, for reasons that defy logic, he was never even put on trial,” he added.

The retired general also recalled that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, had launched a forensic audit into counterterrorism spending and abandoned procurement projects.

“He died just three days before acting on the audit report,” Ali-Keffi said, alleging that the findings were suppressed to hide large-scale diversion of funds.

He concluded by calling for an extensive investigation into the management of terrorism financing cases and counterterrorism resources.

“If the NFIU’s findings under OSW are ever made public, it would trigger a tsunami in Nigeria,” he warned. “Many senior military and government officials, including prominent members of the National Assembly, would be exposed.”