The Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA) are investigating intelligence reports alleging that some top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are working with foreign interests to undermine Nigeria’s national security.A security source disclosed that the two intelligence agencies intercepted what he described as “highly disturbing” communications between the NFF officials and certain foreign nationals, which could have serious security implications for the country.
Asked whether the investigation was connected to the N17 billion intervention fund approved for the payment of outstanding salaries and bonuses owed to players and officials of Nigeria’s national teams, the source said the probe went beyond financial matters, stressing that allegations of financial impropriety fall under the purview of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
“It is true that President Bola Tinubu in 2024 approved N17 billion as a special intervention fund to help NFF clear outstanding payments owed to Nigeria’s national teams. However, that falls within the purview of the EFCC, not the DSS and NIA,” the source said.“The mandate of the DSS is on dealing with domestic threats to national security. The NIA deals with external threats. So, when you hear that the DSS and NIA are jointly investigating a matter, it has got to be very serious, especially when the persons involved are saddled with the responsibility of managing an important body like the NFF,” he stated.
