Muted Response Compared to Global Precedents
Ali-Keffi pointed out that the government’s reaction to Shekau’s death was remarkably subdued. He contrasted this lack of official celebration with the robust public response by the United States following the killing of Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden by SEAL Team Six in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
“The preceding administration (Muhammadu Buhari’s) was not pleased with the Operation Service Wide after we neutralized Shekau, which explains the government’s decision not to acknowledge his death publicly,” the retired general asserted.
He stressed that Shekau was a recognized enemy of the state, well-known for his objective to undermine governmental authority in areas controlled by the Boko Haram insurgency.
“One would naturally expect the government to publicize and take credit for the demise of an individual who was an avowed enemy of the state and did not hide his intent to dismantle its influence,” he explained. Despite personally informing the late Chief of Staff to the President of their success, Ali-Keffi lamented that his team received no recognition, not even a private commendation.
Focus on True Leader and Financial Network
General Ali-Keffi also offered a crucial perspective on the Boko Haram leadership structure. He clarified that while Shekau was a high-profile figure, he was not the group’s most senior leader. International intelligence from a key Western country and the UAE indicated that Alhaji Saidu Ahmed was the actual leader and financial pillar of the terrorist organization.
He highlighted the significant impact of Saidu Ahmed’s temporary arrest and subsequent, what he termed, “questionable release.” The detention of Saidu severely crippled Boko Haram’s financial and logistical support, which indirectly contributed to Shekau’s demise and led to many fighters and their families surrendering.
However, once Saidu was released, the group quickly recovered, suggesting that Shekau’s death alone was not the decisive blow to the insurgency. Saidu Ahmed, a Zaria-based businessman, has been linked to extensive financial transactions, including accounts with N4.8 billion in inflows, and is connected to terrorism convicts, as revealed in a previous report and UAE court documents.
Frustration Over Funding and Recognition
Ali-Keffi further expressed his disappointment over the former administration’s lukewarm approach to OSW after the operation. He mentioned refusing a request from the then-Director of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Hamman-Tukur Modibbo, for a joint press conference to claim credit, citing critical operational security risks that could expose agents and compromise ongoing missions.
He revealed that although the OSW’s mandate was officially extended and funds were approved for its continuation, no money was released to the unit for six months after the extension. This forced him to personally finance the expensive and sensitive covert operation.
“Despite receiving the official approval for funds for the extension, up to the date of my arrest, not a single kobo was released to the OSW six months later,” he stated, adding that he has not been reimbursed for his personal expenditures.
The success of the operation was largely attributed to the strategic intelligence and planning of the late Brigadier General Abdulrahman Kuliya, who orchestrated a strategy to foster infighting between Boko Haram and ISWAP, which ultimately weakened Shekau’s faction.