The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu has made a revelation that at least ₦83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat money has been traced and blocked that was allegedly channeled towards the recent #EndBadGovernance protest. He said this during the inaugural meeting of the Council of state convened by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
According to the security adviser, the funds include $50 million in cryptocurrency, of which $38 million has been blocked across four cryptocurrency wallets. Additionally, ₦4 billion in fiat money was reportedly contributed by various political actors in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
The presentation titled ‘The Nationwide Protest as It Affects National Security,’ provided a detailed account of the financial and logistical support behind the protests, which have been a significant source of attention both domestically and globally.
According to sources, Ribadu revealed the involvement of a European national in the protest who also encouraged the use of foreign flags during the protest. He mentioned that the individual would be declared wanted soon by the Nigerian Police.
The Council of State meeting, which brought together former presidents, state governors, and other key national figures, focused heavily on the implications of the protests for national security. Sources who spoke with the Punch on condition of anonymity said local conspirators traced to Abuja, Kaduna and Kano have been arrested.
The #EndBadGovernance protest was a concern for the government and security operatives. However, when foreign flags were flown in some northern states, the protest took a different turn. Moreover, the raid at the NLC headquarters hinted that security operatives were on the search for the protest masterminds. With the arrest of the suspected masterminds, and the government not disclosing their identities, it leaves a lot to the imagination as to whom the suspects are.
