The State Security Service (SSS) has arrested a former member of the House of Representatives and high-level security consultant, Aliyu Gebi, for allegedly supplying misleading intelligence to foreign missions in Nigeria.
The intelligence reports, which authorities have labeled as “inaccurate and false,” reportedly triggered a wave of diplomatic anxiety and disrupted international travel. Sources familiar with the matter told journalists that the reports led to the cancellation of flights by Lufthansa, while British Airways reportedly considered similar measures.
Gebi, who represented Bauchi State in the 7th Assembly and recently served as a Special Adviser on Non-Kinetic Security Strategies at Defence Headquarters, was taken into custody on Friday, April 3. While he has been granted administrative bail, he is required to report daily to the SSS headquarters as investigations continue.
The intelligence in question is believed to have informed the recent United States travel advisory, which ordered the departure of non-essential personnel and warned of high risks in states including Kaduna, Katsina, and Zamfara.
The Federal Government has since pushed back against the advisory. In a statement, officials urged international partners to ensure their security assessments are “balanced” and reflect the “progress being made” by domestic security forces.
Sources within the security architecture suggest that Gebi will be formally charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigation. Efforts to reach Mr. Gebi for comment were unsuccessful as his mobile lines remained unreachable at the time of press.
