Military authorities have reportedly detained Brigadier General Gabriel E. Archibong and three of his domestic staff since early January 2026 over his alleged proximity to retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keff i
Military authorities have reportedly held a serving Brigadier General, Gabriel E. Archibong, in detention since the first week of January 2026. According to sources cited by SaharaReporters on Friday, March 20, the senior officer’s arrest is allegedly tied to his close relationship with retired Major General Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi. The detention extends beyond the General himself, as three members of his domestic staff—Sgt. Zakari Lawali (Personal Assistant), Cpl. Adekanye Olaoluwa (Driver), and a civilian steward identified as Ismaila—are also being held in connection with the investigation.
The arrest appears to be a direct consequence of the ongoing legal and public friction involving General Ali-Keffi and the military establishment. Ali-Keffi, who previously headed the covert Operation Service Wide (OSW) under the Buhari administration, has made explosive allegations regarding the unauthorized release of terrorism financing suspects. Sources indicate that Archibong’s proximity to Ali-Keffi during the latter’s confrontation with former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd), made him a person of interest. “He (Archibong) was arrested for being close to Gen. Ali-Keffi (Rtd),” a source confirmed, suggesting the military is scrubbing for internal sympathizers.
The prolonged detention of a serving one-star general without formal charges has raised concerns within legal and human rights circles. While the military has not issued an official statement regarding the specific charges against Archibong or his staff, the case is deeply intertwined with Ali-Keffi’s claims of a high-level cover-up regarding 2020–2021 counter-terrorism operations. As of late March 2026, Archibong remains in custody, with insiders suggesting that the military’s internal probe is focusing on the potential leak of classified documents related to Ali-Keffi’s petitions to the Presidency and the National Assembly.
Individuals Currently in Military Detention (March 2026)
| Name | Rank/Role | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Gabriel E. Archibong | Brigadier General | Serving Officer; Ally of Ali-Keffi |
| Sgt. Zakari Lawali | Sergeant | Personal Assistant to Archibong |
| Cpl. Adekanye Olaoluwa | Corporal | Driver to Archibong |
| Ismaila | Civilian | Household Steward to Archibong |
READ THE FULL STORY IN SAHARA REPORTERS
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