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Retired General Alleges Terror Financiers Were Freed Under Buhari Government

Published

1 month ago

December 16, 2025

Late Former President Muhammadu Buhari

Retired General Alleges Terror Financiers Were Freed Under Buhari Government

A retired Major-General of the Nigerian Army, Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, has alleged that terrorism financing suspects held in military custody were released under suspicious circumstances during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, raising fresh concerns over counterterrorism efforts in Nigeria.

Ali-Keffi, who was appointed in October 2020 to lead Operation Service Wide (OSW)—a covert presidential task force on terrorism financing—said the releases occurred shortly after moves were made to force him out of the army. OSW comprised personnel from the military, security and intelligence agencies, and legal officers from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, and was mandated to arrest, investigate and prosecute terror financiers and collaborators.

Speaking in an interview, the retired general claimed that all terrorism financing suspects in army custody were freed, describing the development as evidence of deep compromise. He alleged that the then Chief of Army Staff, Farouk Yahaya, acting under the influence of Tukur Buratai, a former army chief, orchestrated his removal to pave the way for the releases.

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Ali-Keffi further claimed that Buratai influenced Yahaya’s appointment as army chief following the death of Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in 2021. He also accused Abubakar Malami, former Attorney-General of the Federation, of playing a key role in the alleged release of the suspects, noting that Malami’s office was responsible for advising on prosecutions or releases where evidence was deemed insufficient.

According to Ali-Keffi, it was improbable that the suspects could have been freed without the knowledge and consent of the attorney-general, adding that some of the suspects were allegedly linked to senior government and military officials. He also raised alarm over the alleged diversion of counterterrorism funds, stating that Nigeria has spent billions of dollars on counterinsurgency since 2010 with limited results due to misappropriation.

He disclosed that investigations by OSW, working with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), uncovered large-scale money laundering, including the use of bureau de change businesses as fronts for terrorism financing. Ali-Keffi stressed that the misapplication of counterterrorism funds was as dangerous as direct financing of terrorist groups.

The retired officer revealed that OSW had gathered extensive evidence against 48 terrorism financing suspects, including intelligence from the United Arab Emirates and Western security agencies, describing their wholesale release without convictions as “beyond belief”.

He called for a thorough investigation into Operation Service Wide, insisting that only an independent probe would uncover the truth behind the alleged release of the suspects and restore credibility to Nigeria’s fight against terrorism.

Retired General Alleges Terror Financiers Were Freed Under Buhari Government

Related Topics:Buhari freed retired General Terror Financiers

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Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

Published

4 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

The Jigawa State Police Command has arrested a newly‑wedded woman suspected of poisoning her husband to death in Gauza village, Jahun Local Government Area. The incident, which occurred on January 23, 2026, has sent shockwaves through the community.

Police reported that the deceased fell seriously ill after eating a meal prepared by his wife and was rushed to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Investigators from the Jahun Divisional Police Headquarters launched an inquiry and quickly detained the wife as the main suspect.

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During interrogation, the suspect allegedly admitted to putting rat poison in her husband’s food, claiming she was coerced into the marriage by her parents, which fueled resentment that led to the deadly act. Police have confirmed that a full investigation is underway, and the suspect will face court charges once the investigation is complete.

The Commissioner of Police has urged the public to remain calm, stressing that marital disputes should never escalate to violence, and warning that such actions have irreversible consequences. The tragic case highlights growing concerns over domestic poisoning and marital-related crimes in the region.

Woman Arrested After Allegedly Poisoning Newlywed Husband With Rat Poison

metro

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

Published

4 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

Niger State Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed that six people were killed by suspected bandits in the Wawa community of Borgu Local Government Area, intensifying concerns over the growing security crisis in rural Niger State.

Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun stated that the attack occurred on January 22, 2026, when the victims — including farmers and a local vigilante — were ambushed while heading to their farms near Damala village. Two other people remain missing, and search operations are ongoing.

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Local residents described the incident as devastating, urging the state and federal governments to take urgent measures to protect vulnerable communities from frequent bandit attacks.

This latest incident is part of a broader pattern of banditry in Niger State and neighbouring areas. Recent attacks in Damala village, Woko District, and Kasuwan Daji market in Demo community have left dozens dead, properties destroyed, and residents displaced, highlighting the escalating rural insecurity in the region.

Authorities have vowed to strengthen security operations, while experts warn that continued attacks threaten socioeconomic stability, displace local populations, and erode confidence in local law enforcement.

Bandits Kill Six Persons in Niger State as Police Confirm Attack

metro

DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicado

Published

5 hours ago

January 24, 2026

Trends Admin

President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe

DSS Silent as NAPO Leader, Two Others Held Incommunicad

The whereabouts of the President General of the National Association of Plant Operators (NAPO), Mr Harold Benstowe and two other union officials, Mr Tuwonimi Benstowe and Mr Michael Mbata remain unknown, following their alleged arrest by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Rivers State, according to their lawyer.

NAPO’s counsel said the union leader and his colleagues were picked up during a security operation in Finima, Bonny Local Government Area, but have since been held incommunicado, with no official confirmation from the DSS on their detention or location. The development has sparked growing concern among family members, labour unions and civil society groups.

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The lawyer described the action as unlawful and a violation of the detainees’ fundamental human rights, noting that security agencies are required by law to disclose the whereabouts of arrested persons and grant them access to legal representation.

The arrests reportedly followed rising tensions linked to NAPO’s labour activities, including a recent warning strike by plant operators working on the NLNG Train 7 project in Bonny. The union had protested alleged irregular salary deductions and tax remittance issues, which were also the subject of a pending case before the National Industrial Court.

Labour rights advocates have warned that the continued silence of the DSS could undermine due process and escalate industrial unrest, calling for the immediate disclosure of the detainees’ location or their release.

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain an official response from the DSS have remained unsuccessful, while pressure continues to mount on authorities to respect the rule of law and constitutional safeguards.