Former Aviation Minister, Femi Fani-Kayode, on Monday described Binance executive, Tigran Gambaryan, as a conduit used by the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, to fund Boko Haram.

Fani-Kayode described Gambaryan as a terrorism enabler and an economic saboteur.

He dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations against Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, of demanding funds for his political ambition.

Gambaryan also accused some lawmakers of demanding a $150 million bribe.

These allegations have since been dismissed by the lawmakers and the Nigerian government.

However, Fani-Kayode said Gambaryan should prepare for divine retribution.

Posting on X, Fani-Kayode wrote:

“One @TigranGambaryan, a foreign national and an executive of @binance, has made grave allegations against @NuhuRibadu, @OfficialDSSNG & some legislators. Take him seriously at your own peril.

“I know a CIA operative, a terrorism enabler, a fiscal bandit, a criminal, a leech, a vampire, and an economic saboteur when I see one.

“He is one of those who used @USAID money to fund Boko Haram. Prepare for divine retribution, Tigran.

“The long arm of justice will eventually get you for the atrocities you committed in our country.”

Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume, has called on the Nigerian government to thoroughly investigate the claims of the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, funding Boko Haram and other terrorists organizations.

Ndume’s call came against the backdrop of an allegation made by Pennsylvanian Republican lawmaker, Scot Perry that USAID was funding terrorists organizations.

Perry disclosed this during an inaugural hearing of the Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency last Thursday.

Speaking during the session tagged: “The War on Waste: Stamping Out the Scourge of Improper Payments and Fraud,” focused on alleged misuse of taxpayer funds, the Congress man alleged that $697 million in aid was being funnelled to Boko Haram, ISIS, and Al-Qaeda through USAID.

Perry claimed that there is no record of USAID using $136 million to build 120 schools in Pakistan.

However, appearing on Channels Television, Sunday Politics, Ndume said Perry’s allegations should be seriously looked into.

According to Ndume: “You can’t say it’s just an allegation; it’s more than that.

“That’s why the Nigerian government and the National Assembly, especially, need to look into it to investigate and verify the veracity of such a very weighty allegation.

“This development is very worrisome, especially because one of the terrorist organisations mentioned by Scott Perry is Boko Haram, and Boko Haram has ravaged not only the North-East but even other parts of Nigeria.

“You can remember Boko Haram bombed the police headquarters and the UN office in Abuja, and the casualties were enormous. So, the Nigerian government must be interested.

“I’m worried, but the Nigerian security agencies have raised this indirectly several times. Even the Borno State government was wary of the operations of the NGOs.

“We have been wondering for all these years where these people are getting money.”

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has intensified its crackdown on violent and organized crime, eliminating nine terrorists and recovering 23 firearms in a series of operations across the country.

In a statement released on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi reaffirmed the police’s commitment to dismantling criminal networks that threaten national security.

One of the key operations took place on February 14, when armed men kidnapped a 60-year-old man, Umaru Bawa, from Gobiraje Village in Suru Local Government Area of Kebbi State. Acting on intelligence, police operatives pursued the suspects to Tundafari Forest in the Dakingari area.

A fierce gun battle ensued, resulting in the neutralization of four kidnappers and the arrest of another, who later succumbed to his injuries. The victim was rescued unharmed, and the police recovered ₦3 million that had been paid as ransom.

In another operation on February 8, security forces, including operatives from the Imo State Police Command, raided a suspected hideout of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), in Ezioha Mbaitolu, Umuele Umuaka Njaba LGA.

Two ESN commanders were neutralized, and authorities seized seven AK-47 rifles, 13 pump-action shotguns, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

A follow-up operation on February 9 at Nkwukwo Forest in Mbaitoli LGA, near Ubachima Forest in Awomama Oru West LGA, led to another armed confrontation.

Three more terrorist leaders were taken down, and security forces recovered additional weapons, including two AK-47 rifles loaded with 36 rounds of ammunition, a pump-action shotgun, a cutlass, four motorcycles, and various charms used for criminal activities.

Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun praised the operatives for their bravery and underscored the need for continuous intelligence gathering and community cooperation.

He reassured Nigerians of the police’s commitment to ensuring national security and urged the public to report any suspicious activities.