Retired Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi has filed a lawsuit against the Nigerian Army and others, challenging his compulsory retirement following a 64-day solitary detention in 2021.
He seeks over N200 billion in damages for alleged unlawful arrest, torture, and rights violations linked to his anti-terrorism work.
This legal action highlights tensions within military leadership over counter-terrorism operations.
Background
Major General Danjuma Ali-Keffi, former General Officer Commanding 1 Division, led Operation Service Wide (OSW) in 2021 to uncover Boko Haram financiers and sponsors. Appointed under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, his probe allegedly threatened powerful figures in government and military circles, leading to his removal as GOC on August 8, 2021. He claims intelligence revealed assassination plots against him, prompting him to report voluntarily on October 18, 2021, only to face immediate detention.
Detention Details
Ali-Keffi endured 64 days in solitary confinement, sleeping on the floor, stripped of belongings, and denied family contact or medical care for an ENT condition until collapse. Released on December 21, 2021, he received a compulsory retirement letter instantly, bypassing court-martial despite over 30 years of service. He alleges no formal charges or due process, contrasting with peers like ex-Majors General H.O. Otiki and U.M. Mohammed who faced trials for lesser issues.
Claims
The suit demands declarations that his arrest, detention, and retirement violated rights to liberty, fair hearing, and dignity under the Nigerian Constitution and African Charter. Ali-Keffi accuses the Army, ex-Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya, and others of oppression to shield terror-linked elites uncovered by OSW. Filed recently, it seeks massive damages for health impacts, career loss, and reputational harm
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