A total of N83 billion in cryptocurrency and fiat cash that was allegedly used to finance the recent statewide rallies against hardship and poor governance in Nigeria has been successfully tracked
down and stopped by the Federal Government. The revelation was made public on Tuesday during President Bola Tinubu’s first Council of State meeting, which was held at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu,
revealed in a talk titled “The Nationwide Protest As It Affects National Security” that the government had tracked $50 million in cryptocurrencies, of which $38 million was frozen in four separate wallets.
Furthermore, N4 billion was identified as part of the protest finances, provided by different political actors from the states of Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina. Ribadu disclosed that as well.
Local conspirators have been apprehended after being identified in Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna. Speaking under anonymity, a source with firsthand knowledge of the discussion attested to the fact that “the
government was able to trace $50 million to crypto wallets that were donations to the protests.” They were able to stop four of those wallets, which had $38 million. Additionally, they found that N4 billion
was donated by political figures to support the protests. Notable individuals, including former presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari, as well as former heads of state General Yakubu Gowon and General Abdulsalami Abubakar,
virtually attended the Council of State meeting, which also covered issues of national security, the economy, and food security. The governors of the states of Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, and Abia were also present.
