The Federal Government of Nigeria has blocked at least N83 billion in funds linked to recent nationwide protests.
This includes $50 ‘million in cryptocurrency, with $38 million frozen in four cryptocurrency wallets, and N4 billion raised by political figures in cities like Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina.
This information was revealed by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, during the first meeting of the Council of State, which was led by President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Ribadu’s report, titled “The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security,” also disclosed that a European individual has been identified as the key organizer behind the use of foreign flags during the protests. This person is expected to be declared wanted by the Nigerian Police soon.
An unnamed source, who attended the meeting but was not authorized to speak publicly, confirmed that several local collaborators in Abuja, Kaduna, and Kano have already been arrested.
The source explained to newsmen that “The government was able to trace $50m to crypto wallets that were made as donations to the protests. They succeeded in blocking four of those wallets containing $38m.
“They also found out that some political actors contributed N4bn to fund the protests.”
Earlier reports indicated that President Tinubu called the Council of State meeting to discuss the recent protests, national security, economic issues, and food security.
The Council of State includes the President, Vice President, former Presidents and Heads of State, former Chief Justices of Nigeria, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and all state governors.
Former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari attended the meeting in person, while former Heads of State General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) and General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) participated virtually along with the governors of Abia, Adamawa, and Akwa Ibom states.
