A confidential counter-terrorism investigation launched under former President Muhammadu Buhari has resurfaced with explosive revelations from retired Nigerian Army General Ali-Keffi, a former Commander of 1 Division and General Officer Commanding (GOC).
Ali-Keffi, who led the Buhari-approved Operation Service Wide (OSW) in 2021, said the multi-agency initiative was designed to expose Boko Haram’s funders and dismantle financial networks sustaining the insurgency.
However, he alleges the operation uncovered evidence tying several suspects to prominent government officials and military officers an outcome he claims triggered a coordinated effort to suppress the probe.
OSW and NFIU Findings Reported to Buhari
According to documents and testimonies obtained by SaharaReporters, OSW collaborated with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) to arrest multiple high-profile suspects in March 2021.
The arrests were based on detailed financial tracking that linked money flows to terrorism financing.
These findings were formally presented to President Buhari in September 2021.
Ali-Keffi said former Army Chief Faruk Yahaya was involved in the briefing, although intelligence later connected him to one of the detained suspects.
One month later, Ali-Keffi was unexpectedly summoned to the Military Police Headquarters.
On 18 October 2021, he was detained after interrogation, held for 64 days without charges, and eventually compulsorily retired without explanation.
“Till today, I don’t know my offence,” he said, insisting the detention was orchestrated to halt the terrorism-financing investigation.
His petition to President Bola Tinubu seeking redress has not been acted upon, and his case at the National Industrial Court has stalled.
Powerful Figures Allegedly Linked to Suspects
Ali-Keffi said his information came directly from the then-NFIU Director, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur Ribadu, who worked closely with OSW. According to him:
Two suspects were linked to former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd)
Two suspects were linked to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami (SAN)
One suspect was linked to former Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele
Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd.) was linked to one suspect
Ali-Keffi stressed he was not accusing any of the named individuals of terrorism financing, explaining that the links were based on business relationships, many through Bureau De Change operators who were suspected of doubling as fronts for illicit transactions.
He said Buratai allegedly asked the NFIU leadership to persuade him to release two suspects a request he rejected, reporting the issue to Buhari directly.
$600M Offshore Account and an Alleged $50M Bribe Attempt
One of the detainees, international arms dealer Aboubacar Hima, was linked to an offshore account containing $600 million, traced by OSW and flagged by the NFIU.
The U.S. subsequently froze the account after being alerted by Nigerian authorities.
Ali-Keffi said he later learned that a representative for Hima offered a $50 million bribe to secure Nigeria’s endorsement for unfreezing the funds.
He said he declined the offer. After his detention, he was informed that the Nigerian government eventually wrote to the U.S. requesting the account be unfrozen.
Allegations of Interference and Efforts to Kill the Probe
Ali-Keffi said OSW gathered substantial evidence to charge 48 suspects with terrorism financing.
However, he claims powerful actors pressured him to downgrade the charges to money laundering shifting jurisdiction to the EFCC, which was under the influence of the Attorney-General’s office at the time.
He alleged that a top prosecution lawyer assisting OSW was abruptly removed after refusing to compromise, insisting terrorism financing charges were justified.
He said the AGF’s office failed to pursue critical forfeiture orders and only applied for detention orders.
According to him, “the presidency and powerful officials wanted to kill the investigation.”
Release of Suspects After Ali-Keffi’s Removal
Following his detention and compulsory retirement, OSW was effectively shut down.
Ali-Keffi said all arrested suspects including the 20 top-tier detainees were released without charges.
He said an insider confirmed they were warned not to speak publicly or pursue legal action over their nine-month detention.
Over 400 High-Value Targets on OSW Arrest List
Among the most startling details, Ali-Keffi claimed OSW compiled a list of over 400 individuals slated for arrest or elimination, including Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.
“We engineered what happened to him,” he said, referencing Shekau’s eventual death.
Ali-Keffi maintains that surviving records at the NFIU, EFCC, and Office of the Attorney-General can clarify whether funds traced to the suspects were ever recovered or quietly released.
He insists his ordeal detention, removal, and forced retirement was punishment for resisting efforts to shield influential figures from scrutiny.
