Nigerian politician and security consultant Aliyu Gebi has been arrested and subsequently granted bail over allegations of supplying false intelligence to foreign embassies in Nigeria.
According to reports, Gebi, who served in the 7th House of Representatives, was apprehended by operatives of the State Security Service on April 3, following intelligence linked to the claims.
Now regarded as a notable figure within Nigeria’s security framework, Gebi is accused of forwarding “false intelligence” to diplomatic missions operating in the country.
A security source, who was not authorised to speak publicly on the matter, said the report allegedly triggered anxiety among international stakeholders, with immediate consequences for air travel.
“Lufthansa cancelled flights scheduled to take off to Nigeria,” the source said, adding British Airways nearly did the same.
Another insider disclosed that the same intelligence allegedly influenced a security advisory issued by the United States. Referencing a “deteriorating security situation”, the US Department of State, in a tweet on Wednesday, urged its non-essential personnel in Nigeria to leave the country due to worsening conditions.
The Nigerian government has rejected that position, urging international partners to ensure balanced and up-to-date reporting that reflects the “progress being made” to secure Nigeria.
In its advisory, the United States described Nigeria as unsafe and asked its citizens to reconsider travelling to the country. The updated guidance listed armed robbery, kidnapping, assault, and roadside banditry as widespread violent crimes.
States identified as high-risk include Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Kogi, Jigawa, Kwara, Niger, Plateau, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, and Katsina. Others mentioned are Sokoto, Zamfara, Abia, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta, Enugu, Imo, and Rivers.
Although the exact contents of Gebi’s report were not available, multiple sources indicated that it contributed to diplomatic unease.
“Many embassies received the report and wanted to act on it, but the Nigerian government dialogued with them and they shelved their plans,” another source said.
“But the United States went ahead to issue that advisory,” he added.
Relations between Abuja and Washington had already been strained last year after Nigeria was redesignated a Country of Particular Concern by the United States over claims of “Christian genocide” — allegations promoted by President Donald Trump and some Republican lawmakers.
While Nigerian authorities acknowledged ongoing security challenges, they maintained that terrorism affects citizens across religious lines. The United States, however, upheld its stance and carried out missile strikes in Sokoto State, claiming to target Islamic State elements. Nigerian officials later confirmed they had been briefed prior to the operation and had provided intelligence support.
Mr Trump subsequently acknowledged that Muslims are also victims of violence in Nigeria. This preceded the deployment of US troops to the North-east, where Boko Haram insurgency has persisted for over a decade. The Nigerian military clarified that the troops would focus on training and technical assistance rather than combat operations.
Despite being granted bail, Gebi is said to be under investigation and is expected to face prosecution.
Sources said he has been reporting regularly to the SSS headquarters since his release.
“He has been going to the SSS office since he was granted bail,” one source said. “He is being investigated and will be charged in court.”
Attempts to reach Mr Gebi for comment were unsuccessful. His phone line was switched off, and messages sent via WhatsApp and SMS were neither acknowledged nor returned. Observations also showed no recent activity on his WhatsApp account, raising suspicions that his device may have been seized by security operatives.
Gebi, who hails from Bauchi State, was elected into the House of Representatives in 2011, where he chaired the committee on internal security.
He later served as special adviser at the Ministry of Interior from 2015 to 2023.
Subsequently, he was appointed special adviser on non-kinetic security strategies at the Defence Headquarters, focusing on peace-building frameworks, early warning systems, and coordinated responses to insurgency and cross-border terrorism.
(PREMIUM TIMES)
