Terror Suspects, Alleged Financiers Were Linked To Powerful Nigerians Including Ex-AGF Malami, Former Army Chiefs, Others –Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd)
December 5, 2025
News — Exclusive
High-Profile Figures Linked to Terrorism-Financing Suspects in Secret Operation Buhari Approved
A top-secret counter-terrorism operation personally authorized by former President Muhammadu Buhari has re-emerged in the spotlight after shocking revelations by retired Major General Ali-Keffi, former General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army’s 1 Division.
Ali-Keffi disclosed that Operation Service Wide (OSW)—a multi-agency task force created in 2021 to uncover Boko Haram masterminds, financiers, and support networks—discovered far-reaching links involving powerful government officials, military leaders, and financial institutions. According to him, the findings triggered a coordinated effort to discredit the investigation and silence those involved.
NFIU Briefed Buhari: The Moment Everything Changed
Documents and information obtained by SaharaReporters show that OSW, in collaboration with the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), arrested several high-profile individuals in March 2021 based on detailed financial intelligence linking them to terrorism financing.
These discoveries were formally presented to Buhari in September 2021, with then-Chief of Army Staff, General Faruk Yahaya (rtd.), participating in the briefing—despite later being linked to one of the suspects.
One month later, on October 18, 2021, Ali-Keffi was summoned to the Military Police headquarters. He was detained for hours, interrogated, held for 64 days without charges, and eventually forced into compulsory retirement.
“Till today, I don’t know my offence,” he said, insisting the detention was meant to shut down the terrorism-financing investigation.
His petition to President Bola Tinubu for redress has allegedly received no official response, prompting him to go public and file a case at the National Industrial Court. He claims the court has not sat even once, and his legal team suspects “foul play” in the service of processes.
Top Officials Allegedly Linked to Arrested Suspects
Ali-Keffi stated that his claims are not based on rumors but on information personally given to him by the then-NFIU Director/CEO, Modibbo Hamman-Tukur Ribadu.
According to him:
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Two suspects were linked to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.)
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Two others were connected to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN)
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One suspect was linked to former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele
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One suspect was tied to Gen. Faruk Yahaya (rtd.)
Ali-Keffi emphasized:
“I am not accusing Buratai, Malami, or Emefiele of terrorism financing. I was only told that investigations linked them to some suspects. Up until the time I was arrested and removed from OSW, the links existed.”
He also alleged that Buratai asked the NFIU director to persuade him to release two suspects, but he refused and instead informed Buhari—without mentioning Buratai’s name. Buhari reportedly reacted sternly:
“You report to me and to me alone.”
Ali-Keffi noted that while these powerful figures had business ties to suspects, OSW did not establish that they knowingly financed terrorism.
$600 Million Offshore Account and a $50 Million Bribe Attempt
One of OSW’s key targets, international arms dealer Aboubacar Hima, was discovered to hold an offshore account containing about $600 million. NFIU alerted U.S. authorities, leading to the freezing of the account.
Ali-Keffi said he later learned that an intermediary for Hima offered $50 million to persuade Nigeria to inform the U.S. that the funds were legitimate—an attempt he rejected.
He was stunned to later hear that the Nigerian government eventually wrote to the U.S. requesting the account be unfrozen.
He added that Buhari instructed the NFIU boss to “reconcile with Malami” over their differences.
Efforts to Kill the Investigation
Ali-Keffi said OSW had enough evidence to file terrorism-financing charges against 48 suspects. But he faced intense pressure from “powerful quarters” to downgrade charges to money laundering—so the case could be moved to the EFCC, then controlled by Malami and chaired by Abdulrasheed Bawa, his relative.
He alleged:
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A key prosecution lawyer who refused to compromise was removed without explanation
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The AGF’s office failed to obtain essential forfeiture orders
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Only detention orders were filed
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The presidency and top officials “wanted the investigation dead”
“They wanted to kill the investigation. When I refused, the Army framed allegations against me.”
Suspects Released After His Removal
After Ali-Keffi was detained and retired, OSW effectively collapsed.
According to him:
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All arrested suspects, including the top 20, were eventually released
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None were charged to court
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Suspects were reportedly warned not to approach the media or challenge their detention
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NFIU was pressured to withdraw its terrorism-financing findings
An insider confirmed this information to him.
A List of 400 Targets — Including Boko Haram Leader Shekau
Ali-Keffi disclosed that OSW had a list of over 400 persons to be arrested or eliminated. The list included late Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau.
He stated:
“We couldn’t arrest Shekau, so we engineered what happened to him.”
Some of the 20 high-profile suspects were also part of the 48 arrested by OSW.
Ali-Keffi insists that the NFIU, EFCC, and the Attorney-General’s office must explain the fate of funds traced to alleged terror financiers and whether any were recovered or released.
He maintains that his arrest, detention, and forced retirement were punishment for refusing to compromise a terrorism-financing investigation that implicated some of Nigeria’s most powerful individuals.