How Buhari Presidency Stopped Decisive Military Offensive Against Bandits Just Before Major Gains –Retd. Maj. Gen. Ali-Keffi

He recounted a tense late-night meeting at Buratai’s Flag House residence in November 2020, shortly after his appointment was announced at a National Security Council meeting.

Retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi has revealed how a directive from the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency in 2021 abruptly halted a major military offensive against bandits across the North West and North Central regions at a time when troops were on the verge of achieving decisive victories.

The former General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and head of the covert Operation Service Wide (OSW) made the disclosures in a detailed account of internal power struggles, alleged sabotage, and policy decisions which, according to him, undermined the fight against terrorism and banditry under the previous administration.

Ali-Keffi alleged that his troubles began shortly after his appointment as Commander of the OSW, a specialised inter-agency operation focused on terrorism financing and high-level intelligence.

He said his appointment was based on the recommendation of the heads of Nigeria’s intelligence agencies. The process reportedly angered the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai.

“Furthermore, Gen Tukur Buratai was unhappy with my appointment as the Commander OSW right from the start. I was recommended by the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DG DSS), the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (DG NIA), the Chief of Defence Intelligence (CDI) and the Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (Director NFIU) based on my experience and performance,” he said.

So, Gen Buratai, who was the COAS at the time did not have any input in my recommendation and he didn’t hide his annoyance with my appointment.”

He recounted a tense late-night meeting at Buratai’s Flag House residence in November 2020, shortly after his appointment was announced at a National Security Council meeting.

During the encounter, Buratai reportedly questioned his suitability for the role, argued that the assignment should have gone to Army Headquarters, and instructed him to hand over all intelligence gathered by the agencies so the Army could execute the task within 48 hours without the OSW.

The meeting ended abruptly, and he was dismissed from the residence.

“He went further to say that it was wrong of the President to have given me the appointment. He continued that the task should have been given to the Army HQ. He then directed that a laptop will be given to me and I should download the entire information given to me by the intelligence agencies, he said.

“He then said that the Nigerian Army would carry out the task within 48 hours without the OSW. He then dismissed me and I left the Flag House.”

Ali-Keffi said the atmosphere suggested the conversation was being recorded.

That night, he said he told the presidential liaison that he wished to be relieved of the assignment. But two days later, Buratai summoned him again.

“The Buratai that I met was a completely different person,” he said.

“He was full of praises for me and said that he would support the OSW with funds and logistics.”

Although the Army Chief later approved vehicles for OSW, he said he declined them because he suspected they might be compromised.

“I declined to accept the vehicles as I suspected that would either have trackers mounted on them or booby trapped,” he said.

Alleged assassination plot and U.S. intervention

Ali-Keffi further claimed the previous administration attempted to frame him for treason after his arrest and detention.

“Upon my arrest and detention, the OSW got credible intelligence report that the previous administration wanted to frame me up on trump up charges of treason and execute me through either lethal injection or poisoning,” he said.

He said OSW alerted a Western ally, prompting diplomatic intervention.

“The US government then dispatched Anthony Blinken (then-U.S. Secretary of State) to visit Nigeria two weeks into my detention to warn them not to harm me,” he said.

Illegal mining, banditry and alleged government complicity

The retired general further alleged that some top officials in Buhari’s government were involved in illegal mining networks linked to banditry, saying,

“Additionally, the previous administration was complicit in the banditry and kidnappings taking place in the North West and North Central due to the illegal mining activities that some key officials of the administration were involved in collaboration with local and foreign private individuals,” he said.

Major gains before the controversial July 2021 order

Ali-Keffi detailed sweeping operations he led in Niger and Kaduna states between April and May 2021 before a presidential order derailed the process.

According to him, the 2021 order stopped everything.

He explained that under his command, and with support from the OSW, 1 Division cleared major bandit strongholds across Niger State between April and May 2021, including Alawa Forest, rescuing more than 100 kidnapped victims.

The Division also dislodged gangs in Birnin Gwari, the Kuyello axis, Fatika, Kidandan and areas around the Kaduna International Airport, locations where many abducted victims from Kajuru, the Kaduna–Abuja highway and several parts of Niger State were routinely held.

According to him, these gains allowed the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari–Mokwa highway to reopen, easing pressure on the Kaduna–Abuja route.

He added that after stabilising these areas, 1 Division planned to support 8 Division’s operations across Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara. The strategy, developed early under the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, required 1 Division to secure the rear while 8 Division advanced to clear the Sangeko and Kuyambana forests and parts of Maru Local Government in Zamfara.

The joint operation began in June/July 2021, shortly after Attahiru’s death.

However, he said the Buhari Presidency later ordered a two-week halt to all offensives after Fulani leaders promised to persuade bandit groups to disarm.

Although he complied with the directive, communicating it to the GOC 8 Division, both commanders were removed before the two-week window elapsed.

He said, “This operation commenced in June/July 2021. Note that at this time, Gen Attahiru had died and was replaced by Gen Faruk Yahaya.

“However, in late July 2021, I received directives from the Presidency to cease all offensive in the general area for a period of two weeks as the Fulani leadership had gotten in touch with the government that they would prevail on the various banditry groups which were of Fulani descent to disarm and stop their criminal activities as innocent Fulani’s were being caught up in the crossfire.

“I thought that the government was sincere and reluctantly halted the offensive alongside 8 Division. I communicated the directive verbally to Maj Gen Usman Yusuf, the GOC 8 Div at the time. I had little choice though as failure to comply with superior orders was a grave offence in the military.

“However, before the expiration of the two weeks, both the GOC 8 Div and myself were removed.”

He said these gains were the foundation for a joint operation with 8 Division, known as Operation FOREST SHIELD, designed to crush bandit groups in parts of Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara.

“Similarly, the Bandits operating in the North Central and North West zones were on the verge of capitulation in July/August 2021 until the administration gave them a reprieve or lifeline,” he said.