Two military sources told SaharaReporters that unverified intelligence is circulating among foreign missions, prompting a "fusion centre" run privately by politician Aliyu Gebi. The centre allegedly supplied briefings that differed from official assessments during a period of heightened killings, influencing external risk perceptions.
Because of this, British Airways and Lufthansa suspended their services linked to Nigeria following heightened risk perceptions triggered by the intelligence reports. "While there has been no formal public attribution from the airlines, their decisions were influenced by briefings circulated outside official government channels," a source noted. The United States Embassy in Abuja also halted visa appointments, a move the source said stemmed from the same intelligence stream.
A senior security official warned that "once embassies begin to act on intelligence that does not go through the proper verification process, it creates a chain reaction. Airlines, investors, and even diplomatic missions begin to adjust their posture. That is exactly what we are seeing." An aviation‑risk official added, "These decisions are not isolated. When airlines scale back and embassies reduce services, it sends a signal to investors. It touches tourism, business travel, and overall confidence in the economy."
Aliyu Gebi, a former 7th House of Representatives member, was arrested by the Department of State Services on April 3 and later released on bail for allegedly providing false intelligence to foreign embassies. Premium Times reported his close ties to former DSS Director‑General Yusuf Magaji Bichi and links to current DSS leadership.
The United States Department of State, in a tweet last Wednesday, advised non‑essential workers to leave Nigeria, citing a deteriorating security situation. The Nigerian government rejected the claim, urging partners to report balanced, up‑to‑date information that reflects progress in security.
Multiple insiders said the President is "visibly displeased" with the fallout, which has already affected airline operations, diplomatic services and investor confidence.
Aliyu Gebi's alleged provision of false intelligence has directly triggered airline suspensions and a halt to US visa services, illustrating how a single shadow network can reshape foreign risk assessments.
The episode exposes a fragile verification system within Nigeria's security architecture, where unofficial briefings can outpace official channels amid rising violence, prompting external partners to act on uncorroborated data.
Tourists, business travellers and investors are the immediate victims; reduced flight options and visa delays diminish Nigeria's appeal as a destination and raise costs for firms relying on air links.
The incident fits a broader pattern of private actors influencing state narratives, raising concerns about the integrity of Nigeria's intelligence ecosystem and its impact on international confidence.
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