Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats

A United States-based lobbying firm, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C., has announced plans to file a $36 million federal lawsuit against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nigeria’s Ambassador-designate to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, over alleged threats against the firm’s principal, Dr Karl Von Batten.

The firm, which is working for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, said it had been cleared and authorised to proceed with the proposed case at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the firm alleged that the planned action arose from threats to kidnap and physically harm Von Batten, which it attributed to Fani-Kayode.

It further alleged that the threats formed part of what it described as an organised criminal conspiracy involving the Nigerian Presidency.

The allegations have not been established by any court, and the proposed complaint had not been confirmed as filed in the US federal court as of Wednesday.

The firm said the proposed lawsuit would rely on provisions of District of Columbia tort law, the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) and the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA).

It said the case involving President Tinubu would also raise questions concerning foreign sovereign immunity and head-of-state immunity while he remains in office.

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The firm further announced plans to engage immigration authorities in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union after filing the case, asking them to consider whether Fani-Kayode’s travel or visa status should be reviewed in light of the allegations.

However, any decision on immigration or visa matters would rest with the relevant government authorities.

The proposed lawsuit follows an escalating dispute between Von Batten-Montague-York and Fani-Kayode over the firm’s campaign concerning historical United States records linked to allegations involving President Tinubu.

The firm has in recent months pursued Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests and litigation seeking access to US government records relating to Tinubu’s past dealings with American law-enforcement agencies.

It has also publicly criticised the Nigerian President and said it had shared documents concerning the matter with officials in the administration of US President Donald Trump, members of Congress and congressional staff.

Fani-Kayode has responded forcefully to the lobbyist’s campaign and has denied threatening to kidnap or harm Von Batten.

The former Aviation Minister said nobody was interested in killing or kidnapping Von Batten and accused him of making false claims against President Tinubu and the Nigerian government.

Fani-Kayode also said he intended to challenge Von Batten’s claims through lawful means.

The dispute has attracted additional attention because of the political relationship between Von Batten’s firm and Atiku Abubakar, who is seeking to challenge Tinubu politically.

Von Batten-Montague-York has presented the proposed litigation as a response to alleged threats against its principal, while Fani-Kayode has rejected the allegations.

The $36 million lawsuit remains at the proposed-litigation stage. The firm’s announcement that it had been authorised to proceed does not by itself establish that a federal complaint has been filed or that the allegations have been proven.

If the complaint is filed, the US court would have to consider the claims and any jurisdictional or immunity issues raised by the defendants. The filing itself would not establish the truth of the allegations.

For now, the central claims remain disputed, with Von Batten-Montague-York alleging threats of kidnapping and physical harm, while Fani-Kayode denies making such threats. There has been no court finding establishing the alleged conspiracy or threats.

Tinubu, Fani-Kayode Face Proposed $36m US Lawsuit Over Alleged Threats

18 Suspected Bandits Killed as Security Forces Foil Mass Kidnap in Katsina

Eighteen suspected bandits have been killed in an intelligence-led ambush that reportedly foiled a planned mass kidnapping in Bakori Local Government Area of Katsina State.

The operation took place at about 1am on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Gidan Iyado, Kakumi Ward, after security personnel received intelligence that an armed group was planning to abduct residents for ransom.

According to the Katsina State Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the operation involved hunters, members of the Community Watch Corps and local vigilante groups, who laid an ambush and engaged the suspected bandits.

The ministry said 18 members of the group were killed, while no casualty was recorded among the security personnel involved in the operation.

Recovered items included one G3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, 14 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition and three motorcycles.

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Security personnel also recovered two cows and 94 sheep, which the authorities believe were among livestock allegedly rustled by the group.

The Katsina government identified the alleged leader of the group as Alhaji Musa Duki, whom it described as a former school headmaster who allegedly became a bandit leader operating from Mununu Forest in Faskari Local Government Area.

Authorities said the operation was part of continuing efforts to disrupt bandit networks, kidnapping operations and rural insecurity across Bakori, Faskari and neighbouring communities.

The government said a sustained covert operation was ongoing to locate Duki and other members of the network, identify their hideouts and prevent further attacks.

Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda commended the security personnel and community-based security groups involved in the operation, while urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.

The latest operation comes amid continuing security challenges in parts of Katsina State, where authorities have increasingly relied on intelligence gathering and collaboration between conventional security agencies and community-based security groups to disrupt criminal activity.

The recovered weapons and ammunition have been taken into custody as security agencies continue efforts to dismantle the alleged network and prevent further kidnapping and banditry in the affected areas.

18 Suspected Bandits Killed as Security Forces Foil Mass Kidnap in Katsina

Police Arrest Two Arms Dealers, Recover 300 Rounds of Ammunition in Kaduna

The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested two suspected arms traffickers and recovered 300 rounds of live ammunition in an intelligence-led operation in the state.

The suspects, identified as Rayyanu Adamu and Nasiru Abubakar, were arrested by operatives of the Police Anti-Kidnapping Unit following surveillance around the Giwa and railway station axis.

Police said the operation resulted in the recovery of 270 rounds of AK-47 ammunition and 30 rounds of Type 06 ammunition.

The suspects are being interrogated as investigators work to determine where the ammunition was sourced, its intended destination and whether other people are involved in the alleged trafficking operation.

The arrests come amid increased security operations across Kaduna State against kidnapping, banditry, arms trafficking and terrorist logistics.

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In a separate operation, troops of Operation FANSAN YAMMA arrested a suspected terrorist kingpin and two alleged members of his network in Kubau Local Government Area.

Troops also arrested a 50-year-old woman in Igabi Local Government Area who was allegedly transporting 300 rounds of ammunition. The military said preliminary investigations indicated that she had travelled from Zamfara to Lafia before allegedly receiving the ammunition for onward delivery to suspected terrorist elements in Birnin Gwari.

A suspected terrorist logistics supplier was also arrested in Birnin Gwari, with four communication devices recovered during the operation.

The separate operations point to continuing efforts by security agencies to disrupt the movement of arms and ammunition to criminal and terrorist groups operating in Kaduna and neighbouring areas.

The Kaduna Police Command has also recorded other ammunition seizures in recent operations, as security personnel intensify efforts to identify suspected arms suppliers, couriers and their associates.

The two suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue.

Police Arrest Two Arms Dealers, Recover 300 Rounds of Ammunition in Kaduna