A major counter-terrorism investigation personally authorized by former President Muhammadu Buhari has been thrust back into the spotlight after a retired Nigerian Army Major General, Ali-Keffi, revealed startling details of systemic interference aimed at shielding high-profile figures allegedly connected to terrorism suspects, Sahara Reporters
Ali-Keffi, who commanded the 1 Division and served as General Officer Commanding (GOC), was appointed in 2021 to lead Operation Service Wide (OSW), a multi-agency task force targeting Boko Haram’s leadership and financial networks.
However, the retired General claims the operation uncovered ties between terror suspects and powerful government officials, military leaders, and financial institutions—prompting what he describes as a coordinated effort to suppress the investigation.
According to Ali-Keffi, OSW—in collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU)—apprehended multiple high-profile suspects in March 2021 based on financial intelligence linking them to terrorism funding.
A formal briefing was presented to President Buhari in September 2021 by the NFIU. Shockingly, just weeks later, Ali-Keffi was detained for 64 days without charge, forcibly retired, and removed from his command.
“To this day, I do not know my offence,” he stated, alleging that his arrest was intended to halt the probe.
Ali-Keffi emphasized that his disclosures are based on direct briefings from the former NFIU Director, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur Ribadu. Key connections cited include:
– Two suspects tied to former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd).
– Two suspects linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN).
– One suspect connected to former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele.
– One suspect associated with former Army Chief Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd).
Ali-Keffi clarified that these individuals were not directly accused of terrorism financing but were linked to suspects via business associations, notably Bureau de Change operations suspected of being fronts for illicit activities.
The investigation also uncovered an offshore account holding $600 million belonging to suspect Aboubacar Hima. After the account was frozen with U.S. cooperation, a $50 million bribe was allegedly offered to unfreeze it—an offer Ali-Keffi says he rejected.
Despite this, he claims the Nigerian government later requested the U.S. release the funds.
The retired General accused the presidency and senior officials of deliberately derailing the case, including pressuring investigators to pursue money laundering charges instead of terrorism financing—a move he believes was meant to transfer jurisdiction to the EFCC, then chaired by Abdulrasheed Bawa, a relative of Malami.
A prosecution lawyer assisting OSW was allegedly removed after refusing to downgrade the charges.
**Suspects Released, Investigation Halted**
After Ali-Keffi’s removal, all 48 suspects in custody were reportedly released without trial. They were allegedly warned against speaking to the media or pursuing legal action.
The OSW had also compiled a list of over 400 targets, including late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.
Ali-Keffi has since petitioned President Bola Tinubu for redress and filed a case with the National Industrial Court, though proceedings have yet to commence.
He maintains that his ordeal—detention, forced retirement, and the probe’s collapse—stemmed from his refusal to compromise an investigation that implicated some of Nigeria’s most powerful figures.
The NFIU, EFCC, and Office of the Attorney-General are yet to respond to these allegations.
