Operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) have arrested Nigerian politician and security consultant Aliyu Ibrahim Gebi over allegations that he supplied false intelligence to foreign embassies in Nigeria.
Sources familiar with the matter said Mr Gebi, who served in the 7th House of Representatives, was arrested on Friday, April 3, 2026.
He is accused of providing misleading security information to diplomatic missions, which reportedly triggered concern among foreign partners and disrupted travel arrangements.
A security source claimed the intelligence led to the cancellation of flights by Lufthansa, while British Airways nearly followed suit.
The same report was also said to have influenced a security advisory issued by the United States Department of State, urging non-essential American personnel to leave Nigeria and advising citizens to reconsider travel due to insecurity.
Nigerian authorities acknowledged ongoing security challenges but rejected the portrayal of the country as unsafe, urging international partners to rely on balanced and up-to-date assessments.
Sources said several embassies initially considered action based on the report but later shelved their plans after engaging Nigerian officials, though the United States proceeded with its advisory.
The development comes amid lingering diplomatic tensions between Abuja and Washington, even as both countries continue security cooperation in counterterrorism efforts.
Mr Gebi has since been granted bail but remains under investigation. He is reportedly required to report regularly to the SSS headquarters and is expected to face charges in court.
Born on January 17, 1975, in Bauchi State, Gebi was elected into 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 from 2015 to 2023 and most recently worked on non-kinetic security strategies at the Defence Headquarters.
