Institutional Crisis: Allegations of High-Level Collusion in Terrorism Suspect Releases

Former General Yahaya and Malami colluded to free 48 terrorism detainees

The Nigerian security landscape is currently facing a significant internal crisis following a detailed disclosure by a former military general. The allegations center on a purported collusion between the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (retd.), to facilitate the unauthorized release of 48 individuals previously held on terrorism charges. This development, surfacing in late 2025, has sent shockwaves through the country’s intelligence community and prompted calls for a radical overhaul of oversight mechanisms.

This report emerges at a time when the federal government is under intense pressure to demonstrate its commitment to “national safety” and “economic resilience.” The potential breach of protocol involving high-ranking officials suggests a systemic vulnerability that could undermine over a decade of counter-insurgency efforts.

Insight into the Security Breach

The principal concern of these allegations is the subversion of the legal framework intended to keep suspected insurgents in custody. According to the disclosure, the release of the 48 detainees was executed without the required judicial clearance or the knowledge of the frontline intelligence officers who originally secured their arrest.

• Detention Protocol: Standard procedure requires a joint review by the military and the Ministry of Justice before any terrorism suspect is discharged.

• Alleged Circumvention: The former general claims these protocols were ignored, citing “administrative directives” that bypassed traditional security checks.

• Strategic Risk: Experts suggest that the return of 48 trained insurgents to the field poses a direct threat to the stability of the North-East and North-West regions.

Organization and Financial Framework

The allegations are not limited to security breaches; they also detail a web of “financial crimes” allegedly involving several senior government and military figures. These links suggest that the release of detainees may have been a byproduct of a larger system of illicit enrichment.

• Defense Procurement: High-ranking officials are allegedly linked to the inflation of security contracts and “ghost” procurement deals.
• Money Laundering: The EFCC has reportedly begun investigating 46 bank accounts allegedly linked to the former Attorney General, looking for patterns of illicit fund transfers.

• Diversion of Funds: Billions of Naira meant for troop welfare and hardware are claimed to have been diverted into private investments.

The Wider Situation of Accountability in Nigeria

As of December 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its scrutiny of past administration officials. The detention of Abubakar Malami for questioning regarding $322.5 million in recovered Abacha loot has become a focal point of this broader anti-corruption drive. The intersection of “terrorism financing” and “public sector fraud” has created a complex investigative environment that requires coordination between the EFCC, the ICPC, and the police.

Challenges Facing the Investigation

Despite the high-profile nature of these claims, the path to justice remains obstructed by several critical factors:

• Political Sensitivity: The involvement of top-tier former officials creates a “sacred cow” dilemma for current investigators
• Lack of Transparency: Many documents related to the 48 detainees are classified, making it difficult for civil society to verify the claims independently
• Institutional Resistance: There are concerns that elements within the current military and justice departments may still be loyal to the former leaders.

Summary Points

• Alleged Collusion: Malami and Yahaya are accused of freeing 48 terrorism suspects without due process.

• Financial Linkages: The allegations connect these releases to broader patterns of military procurement fraud.

• EFCC Action: Former AGF Malami is currently under investigation for money laundering and terrorism financing links.

• National Threat: The release of suspects represents a significant blow to Nigeria’s $9 billion-per-year security investment.

Future Directions

The resolution of this crisis will depend on the government’s willingness to allow a fully independent probe. As opposition figures like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi voice their condemnation of “administrative high-handedness,” the pressure is mounting for a judicial panel of inquiry. For Nigeria to achieve lasting “economic resilience,” it must first prove that its highest security and legal offices are not for sale.