NSA Ribadu, EFCC Accused of Falsely Claiming $37 Million Seizure from #EndHunger Protesters; Crypto Address Found Empty and Inactive

Nigeria’s national security adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are accused of fabricating information in an attempt to undermine the #EndHunger movement. The NSA claimed that the government found $37 million in a cryptocurrency address linked to protest sponsors, but investigations reveal the account has never been used.

During a council of state meeting in Abuja, NSA Ribadu alleged that politicians opposed to President Bola Tinubu were funding the #EndHunger protests. He claimed to have found significant cash assets connected to these politicians, including a substantial sum in a cryptocurrency address. This narrative aligns with the government’s ongoing depiction of the protests as politically motivated without substantiating evidence.

The EFCC supported Ribadu’s claims by filing for a warrant to confiscate four crypto addresses, alleging they contained large sums used for money laundering and terrorism financing. However, independent checks by Peoples Gazette revealed discrepancies in the government’s claims. Only one address, associated with a crypto firm, held $518,000. Another address contained merely $175, and a third seemed invalid. The fourth, which the government claimed held $37 million, was found empty with no transaction history.

Critics argue that Ribadu, known for his aggressive approach since joining the Tinubu administration, is diverting attention from the real issues. The protests, seen as a unifying effort across Nigeria’s religious and regional divides, drew massive crowds in cities like Lagos, Kano, Ibadan, and Abuja during the first ten days of August.

President Tinubu initially acknowledged the protests and promised comprehensive measures to address the nation’s hardships. However, the government’s subsequent tactics, including internet restrictions and police violence, have led to at least 15 deaths and numerous injuries.

Rights activist Zainab Umar criticized the government’s approach, stating, “The government is targeting us instead of addressing the issues that led to the protests. If we don’t see improvements soon, we won’t hesitate to return to the streets.”

Both the NSA and the EFCC have not commented on the status of the crypto accounts, leaving many Nigerians questioning the government’s commitment to resolving the underlying causes of the protests.