January 14, 2026 l By Stephen — Dalena Reporters
ABUJA, Nigeria — The Nigerian Army has taken the unusual step of detaining a serving Brigadier General, identified as Gabriel E. Archibong, amid allegations of his association with retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, a former military commander whose whistle-blowing on terrorism financing and alleged systemic interference has stirred controversy within the defence establishment and beyond.
Archibong, a senior officer assigned to the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) in Minna, was arrested more than ten days ago and is currently being held at the Army’s Special Investigation Bureau, according to military and insider sources. The detention reportedly stems from the frequency of his communications with Ali-Keffi and claims that the officer was not fully cooperating with military authorities.
Sources say Archibong’s home in the Lugbe district of Abuja was searched for several hours following his arrest, with his phones and laptop seized, though “nothing incriminating was found,” one source told Sahara Reporters.
The detention occurs against the backdrop of ongoing disputes between Ali-Keffi and Nigeria’s military leadership, particularly retired Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Army Staff. Ali-Keffi has publicly accused senior military figures of obstructing investigations into terrorism financing and of facilitating the release of suspects who had been detained under a special anti-terror task force he once led known as Operation Service Wide (OSW).
OSW was established to coordinate military, security, and legal efforts to investigate, arrest and prosecute sponsors and financiers of terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and related affiliates. Ali-Keffi has maintained that his efforts to expose deep-seated links between terror financiers and powerful figures led to political pushback, his own arrest, forced retirement and ongoing legal battles.
Critics of the detention argue that the move may represent institutional resistance within the army to scrutiny and accountability, especially given the high-stakes nature of the terrorism financing probe and Ali-Keffi’s longstanding public confrontations with top military leadership. A military source lamented that Archibong’s career and wellbeing could suffer due to what some consider “internal disagreements” over the disclosure of sensitive information.
Ali-Keffi, who once headed OSW and has lodged a multi-billion-naira lawsuit against the Nigerian Army and its leadership, claims that he and his family experienced threats and reprisals following his allegations including alleged interference by former top officials in the handling and release of terrorism suspects.
While the military has not publicly commented on Archibong’s detention, the high-profile nature of the case underscores deepening tensions within Nigeria’s defence structures, as well as broader debates about transparency, the rule of law and accountability in counter-terrorism efforts. External reactions, including from legal and human rights observers, are anticipated as the situation develops.