The Federal Government has uncovered at least ₦83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat currency that was allegedly funneled into the recent nationwide protests.
This disclosure was made by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, during the first Council of State meeting under President Bola Tinubu, held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
In his presentation, titled ‘The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security,’ Ribadu detailed the financial and logistical support backing the protests, which have garnered significant attention both within Nigeria and globally.
Ribadu revealed that the funds include $50 million in cryptocurrency, of which $38 million has been successfully frozen across four crypto wallets. Additionally, ₦4 billion in fiat money was reportedly provided by various political figures from Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
Sources familiar with the meeting proceedings also disclosed that Ribadu identified a European national as the key orchestrator behind the display of foreign flags during the protests. This individual is expected to be declared wanted by the Nigerian Police shortly.
According to a source who spoke with Punch on condition of anonymity, local collaborators linked to Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano have already been apprehended.
The Council of State meeting, which convened former presidents, state governors, and other high-ranking officials, focused extensively on the national security implications of the protests.
One source at the meeting explained, “The NSA informed the Council that the government traced $50 million to cryptocurrency wallets used to fund the protests. They managed to block four wallets containing $38 million.”
The source further added, “It was discovered that certain political actors contributed ₦4 billion to support the protests.”
Another insider, privy to the discussions, stated that the NSA briefed the Council on foreign involvement in the protests, revealing that foreign agents had fueled the unrest.
“A foreign national has been linked to the protests and will soon be declared wanted by the police,” the source said. “While his Nigerian associates have mostly been arrested, the individual remains at large. The NSA also confirmed that eight fatalities occurred during the protests.”
