₦200 Trillion NNPCL Probe: SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against Akpabio

Pressure is intensifying on Senate President Godswill Akpabio as the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has threatened legal action over the alleged ₦200 trillion missing from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).

The group is demanding full transparency in the ongoing Senate investigation, including the disclosure of all individuals allegedly linked to the financial discrepancies within Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited.

In a letter dated March 21, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP urged Akpabio to direct the Senate Public Accounts Committee to immediately publish the identities, roles, and positions of officials under investigation.

The organisation also called for the release of critical documents tied to the probe, including audit reports, financial statements, and official correspondences reviewed by the committee.

According to SERAP, Nigerians have a right to scrutinise the process independently, stressing that transparency is key to establishing the credibility of the claims.

“Full disclosure of the ongoing investigation is essential to ensure transparency and accountability, prevent political interference, and allow Nigerians to independently scrutinise the facts,” the group stated.

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The Senate Public Accounts Committee is currently probing claims that about ₦200 trillion in NNPCL funds cannot be properly accounted for between 2017 and 2023—a figure that has sparked widespread debate among financial experts and policymakers.

Lawmakers have reportedly raised concerns over inconsistencies in financial records, missing documentation, and unclear reconciliations within the oil company’s accounts.

The investigation has also been slowed by the failure of some officials to honour invitations, as well as delays in providing detailed responses to audit queries.

SERAP warned that continued secrecy and delays could undermine public trust and create room for political interference or potential cover-ups.

“The magnitude of the sum, combined with NNPCL’s history of opaque practices, underscores the urgency of a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation,” the group said.

The organisation further demanded that the Senate publish full records of proceedings, including meeting minutes, submissions, and evidence presented so far, to ensure accountability.

It also asked for a clear timeline indicating when implicated officials will appear before the panel and when the investigation will be concluded.

Beyond transparency, SERAP emphasised that no individual—regardless of political status or influence—should be shielded if found culpable.

“Allowing these allegations to be ignored, delayed, or politicised risks normalising impunity and diminishes the public’s right to know how national wealth is being managed,” the letter added.

The group gave the Senate a seven-day ultimatum to act on its demands, warning that it would initiate legal proceedings if there is no response within the stipulated timeframe.

Meanwhile, tensions between the Senate and NNPCL officials have continued to rise, with reports indicating that several key figures have failed to appear before the committee despite repeated invitations.

Industry analysts note that the controversy reflects longstanding concerns about transparency in Nigeria’s oil sector, including issues around revenue tracking, subsidy regimes, and institutional accountability.

The unfolding situation has heightened public interest, with many Nigerians calling for a credible and transparent investigation to determine the accuracy of the claims and ensure that any wrongdoing is addressed.

₦200 Trillion NNPCL Probe: SERAP Threatens Legal Action Against Akpabio

US Deploys MQ-9 Drones, 200 Troops to Support Nigeria’s Counterinsurgency Efforts

The United States has deployed multiple MQ-9 Reaper drones and approximately 200 military personnel to Nigeria to bolster intelligence and training support for the country’s ongoing fight against insurgency in the northern region.

According to official details, the deployment is strictly non-combat in nature, focusing on surveillance, reconnaissance, and advisory roles. U.S. troops are not embedded with Nigerian forces in active combat zones, and there are no drone airstrikes being conducted as part of the mission.

The MQ-9 drones, known for their advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, are expected to provide real-time data to assist Nigerian military operations against insurgent groups. The presence of U.S. personnel will also enhance capacity-building efforts through training and strategic advisory support.

Security analysts say the move is aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s operational effectiveness by improving situational awareness and coordination in counterinsurgency campaigns, particularly in areas affected by extremist violence.

The development highlights deepening military cooperation between Washington and Abuja, as both countries continue to collaborate on addressing security challenges and promoting stability in the West African region.

While the deployment stops short of direct combat involvement, it signals increased international support for Nigeria’s efforts to combat insurgency and restore peace in affected communities.

US Deploys MQ-9 Drones, 200 Troops to Support Nigeria’s Counterinsurgency Efforts

Boko Haram Financiers Known but Not Publicly Named, Says Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, has said he should not be held responsible for the failure of authorities to publicly release the identities of individuals allegedly financing terrorism in Nigeria, insisting that the financiers are known but remain within society.

Buratai made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he emphasized that relevant security and intelligence agencies already have information on those behind terrorism financing, but may have operational reasons for not disclosing their identities publicly.

“You cannot say I should be responsible for naming the financiers of terror… those agencies know why the names are not released,” he said, adding that action, rather than disclosure alone, is what matters in addressing the threat.

He stressed that individuals allegedly involved in funding insurgent groups such as Boko Haram are still within the country and are known to authorities, urging that decisive steps be taken to investigate, prosecute, and disrupt their networks.

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Buratai also clarified that the policy of rehabilitating repentant Boko Haram members was a government initiative, not solely a military decision. According to him, the military had earlier set a surrender deadline in 2016, offering safe passage to those who laid down arms before handing them over to appropriate agencies for rehabilitation.

“The initial concept was that we gave them a timeline to surrender in 2016… and if they surrendered, we gave them free passage and handed them over to appropriate agencies,” he explained.

The former army chief, who also previously served as Nigeria’s ambassador to the Republic of Benin, expressed concern over the country’s ongoing security challenges, calling for stronger intelligence gathering and improved coordination among security agencies to combat terrorism and related threats.

He further advocated for increased recruitment into the nation’s security forces to enhance capacity and improve safety across affected regions.

Buratai’s comments come against the backdrop of long-standing public calls for the disclosure of alleged terrorism financiers, especially after government officials previously indicated that individuals and entities supporting insurgency had been identified.

The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit has in the past reported tracking suspicious financial flows linked to terrorism, while security agencies have continued investigations into funding networks believed to sustain insurgent operations.

In 2021, federal authorities stated that some sponsors of terrorism had been identified, raising expectations that their names would be made public and prosecuted. However, the identities of such individuals have largely remained undisclosed, fueling criticism from civil society groups, legal experts, and security analysts who argue that transparency is essential to dismantling financing networks and ensuring accountability.

Nigeria has battled Boko Haram and its splinter factions for over a decade, particularly in the North-East, where the insurgency has led to thousands of deaths, widespread displacement, and humanitarian crises. Despite ongoing military operations, attacks have persisted in some areas, underscoring the complexity of addressing both the operational and financial dimensions of terrorism.

Buratai’s remarks add to ongoing national conversations about the need for a more comprehensive counterterrorism strategy that combines military action, intelligence sharing, financial tracking, and judicial enforcement to effectively curb insurgency and its enabling networks.

Boko Haram Financiers Known but Not Publicly Named, Says Buratai