Date: March 20, 2026 l By Mis Stella, Dalena Reporters
The Nigerian Army has reportedly detained Brigadier General Gabriel Archibong along with members of his domestic staff over alleged links to a retired general who exposed the controversial release of terrorism financing suspects.
According to sources, those arrested alongside Brig. Gen. Archibong include Sergeant Zakari Lawali, Corporal Adekanye Olaoluwa, and another individual identified as Ismaila.
The arrests are said to be connected to the general’s alleged association with retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, a key figure who previously raised serious allegations about the handling and alleged release of suspects linked to terrorism financing in Nigeria.
Ali-Keffi, who once led a covert presidential task force focused on tracking terrorist financiers, has been involved in a legal battle with top military authorities after accusing the system of undermining efforts to prosecute high-profile suspects.
Military insiders suggest that Archibong’s detention may be tied to his communication with Ali-Keffi and concerns within the military hierarchy over sensitive information related to the ongoing legal disputes and allegations.
The situation has raised fresh concerns about transparency within Nigeria’s security institutions, particularly regarding how whistleblowers and those linked to sensitive investigations are treated.
This is not the first time Archibong has been detained. Earlier reports indicated he was previously held incommunicado, with limited access to family or legal representation—fueling fears among colleagues about due process and internal accountability within the military system.
Analysts warn that the development could further deepen public suspicion around the handling of terrorism-related cases in Nigeria, especially amid long-standing allegations of corruption and institutional cover-ups within the security sector.
As the case unfolds, calls are growing for an independent investigation to ensure transparency, protect the rights of those detained, and address the serious claims surrounding the alleged release of terrorism financing suspects.
The latest arrests highlight the complex and often controversial intersection between national security, internal military politics, and accountability in Nigeria’s ongoing fight against terrorism.