Aliyu Gebi arrest scandal deepens as ex-lawmaker is accused of sharing false intelligence with embassies, sparking diplomatic tension and investigation
Aliyu Gebi, a Nigerian politician and security consultant, was arrested last week in Abuja by operatives of the State Security Service over allegations that he supplied what security sources described as false intelligence to foreign embassies in Nigeria, before later being granted bail pending further investigation.
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The arrest reportedly centres on claims that the former lawmaker, who served in the 7th House of Representatives, shared intelligence assessments that triggered heightened security concerns among international missions and foreign airlines operating routes into Nigeria.
Security sources familiar with the matter said Aliyu Gebi was taken into custody on Friday, 03 April, and interrogated over reports alleged to have been circulated to diplomatic missions.
The allegations suggest that the intelligence contributed to disruptions in international aviation planning, including flight cancellations and emergency reviews by some carriers.
According to sources, Lufthansa cancelled scheduled flights to Nigeria, while British Airways reportedly considered similar action amid the security concerns raised.
The claims have not been independently verified, but they form a central part of the ongoing Aliyu Gebi arrest scandal under investigation by security authorities.
Further reports from security-linked sources indicated that the same intelligence was referenced in a United States advisory urging non-essential personnel to leave Nigeria, citing a deteriorating security environment.
The advisory also listed several Nigerian states as high-risk zones for violent crime, including kidnapping and armed robbery.
The Nigerian government has rejected suggestions of a worsening national security collapse, urging international partners to ensure balanced reporting that reflects ongoing counter-terrorism efforts and improvements in internal security operations.
The Aliyu Gebi arrest scandal has also fuelled wider diplomatic debate, with sources claiming that several embassies initially considered policy responses based on the circulated intelligence before Nigerian authorities intervened through diplomatic engagement.
While details of the report allegedly issued by Aliyu Gebi remain unclear, officials familiar with the case described it as sensitive and potentially destabilising to Nigeria’s foreign relations if left unchecked.
A separate source confirmed that Gebi has been granted bail but remains under active investigation.
The source added that he has been required to report regularly to the State Security Service headquarters while inquiries continue and possible charges are prepared.
“He has been reporting to the SSS since he was granted bail,” the source said, adding that the investigation is ongoing and may lead to prosecution.
Attempts to reach Aliyu Gebi for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone line was switched off and messages went unanswered.
Born on 17 January 1975 in Bauchi State, Aliyu Gebi rose to national prominence after his election to the House of Representatives in 2011, where he chaired the committee on internal security.
He later served as Special Adviser at the Ministry of Interior between 2015 and 2023.
He was subsequently appointed Special Adviser on non-kinetic security strategies at the Defence Headquarters, focusing on peace frameworks, early warning systems, and coordinated responses to insurgency and cross-border threats.
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The investigation into the Aliyu Gebi arrest scandal is ongoing, with authorities expected to determine the next legal steps in the coming weeks.
