FG Seizes N83bn Protest Funds, Arrests Political Collaborators

The Federal Government seizes N83 billion meant for protests and arrests key political collaborators involved in the operation.

At least N83 billion, comprising both cryptocurrency and fiat money, has been identified by the Federal Government as having been used to fund the recent protests that were held across Nigeria.

The sum encompasses $50m worth of cryptocurrency, out of which $38m has been locked in four distinct wallets. In addition to this, there was also a N4bn contribution from diverse political figures hailing from Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Katsina.

At the first gathering of President Bola Tinubu’s Council of State at Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu delivered a portion of his presentation.

Multiple sources familiar with the proceedings of Tuesday’s meeting reported that Ribadu presented on “The Impact of Nationwide Protests on National Security” and disclosed that an individual from Europe has been identified as responsible for spreading foreign flags throughout these protests. It is anticipated that this person will soon be sought after by law enforcement agents.

Several insiders familiar with the events of Tuesday’s gathering reported that Ribadu delivered a presentation entitled “The Impact of Nationwide Protests on National Security” and disclosed that an individual from Europe has been identified as responsible for spreading foreign flags during the protests. The police plan to issue a warrant for this person shortly.

An anonymous source, who was not authorized to speak on the matter, stated that local conspirators from Abuja, Kaduna and Kano were apprehended.

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During the presentation, the NSA revealed that they traced $50 million to cryptocurrency wallets that were established as donations for protests. The agency successfully prevented access to four of those wallet addresses which contained a total sum of $38 million.

According to one source, it was discovered that certain political figures had donated ₦4 billion towards supporting the protests.

President Tinubu called for a Council of State meeting on Tuesday to address various issues including the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, national security concerns, economic matters and food security.

The Chairman of the Council is the President, and it includes members such as the Vice President, previous Presidents and Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria. Additionally, other prominent figures serve on this council including Senate President, Speaker of House Representatives Attorney-General for Federation Secretary to Government in The Federation alongside all state governors.

The inaugural Council meeting was graced by the presence of ex-Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhamamdu Buhari. Correspondingly, former Heads of State General Yakubu Gowon (retired) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retired) joined virtually. The governors of Abia, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom States also participated in the virtual conference.

The meeting saw the absence of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and retired Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida.

Following a nationwide protest against the skyrocketing cost of living in Nigeria, mostly comprising youth demonstrators who took to the streets for days on end, Tuesday’s meeting was held in Abuja. The gathering was convened following a one-million-man march that ended with low attendance and marked as day ten of protests across the country.

During the “days of rage,” which marked the beginning of a nationwide protest on August 1, there was rampant destruction of property and loss of lives in Northern parts leading to reports indicating at least seventeen deaths.

The demonstrators were seen waving flags and chanting “We don’t want bad government” in Hausa language, just two days after the protests began on August 3rd. These images became popular online quickly. This happened in Kano State of Nigeria.

In the northwestern state of Kaduna, demonstrators were observed brandishing the Russian flag and chanting in Hausa language: “Russia is welcome; Russia is welcome.” Despite being engaged in a proxy conflict with Western nations, Russia – an Eastern player- has been accused of engineering multiple unconstitutional government changes across West African states including Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and others.

It was deemed a treasonable act by the Nigerian military to display Russian flags during the protests. They stated that an investigation has been launched and “serious action” would be taken against those responsible.

President Tinubu cautioned protesters during his August 4th broadcast, advising them not to permit those who oppose democracy to exploit them in service of an illegal agenda that would impede our progress towards a democratic society.

Earlier on OBASANJONEWS, it was reported that security agencies had identified a minimum of four politicians from Kano, Kaduna and Katsina states. According to the security personnel’s report, these individuals facilitated or promoted the utilization of Russian flag amidst protestors with intentions to instigate an unconstitutional change in regime.

According to another insider present at the Council of State gathering, our reporter was informed that the domestic participants have been apprehended while their foreign accomplice remains at large.