Federal Government Dismisses Claims Of Secret Agency Targeting Opposition

The Federal Government has dismissed reports of an alleged secret, multi-agency plot to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute leading opposition politicians, describing the claims as false and misleading.

The government described a document circulating widely on social media and other platforms as entirely fabricated and part of a calculated disinformation campaign.

The viral document alleged the existence of a special task force dubbed “ADP4VIP” (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons), supposedly involving anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

According to the document, the task force was allegedly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser and aimed at targeting prominent opposition figures to weaken political opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, firmly denied the existence of such programme.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria categorically states that it harbours no plans to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute opposition figures. This clarification is in response to a fabricated document in circulation alleging the establishment of a non-existent multi-agency task force for a purported programme tagged ‘ADP4VIP’ (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons).

“The baseless document falsely claims that a task force comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, aims to aggressively target prominent opposition figures without due process.

“The authors of this deliberate disinformation imprudently cite ‘multiple credible sources’ to allege a planned ‘systematic weakening and neutralisation of opposition political activity,’ particularly within the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Idris said.

Rejecting the claims in their entirety, the minister stressed that no such task force exists, emphasising that the administration of President Bola Tinubu remains focused on governance rather than political persecution.

“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is firmly and successfully focused on its core agenda: implementing measurable economic reforms, defeating insecurity, expanding trade opportunities, and restoring investor confidence.

“The attempt by some opposition elements to frame lawful accountability as political targeting is a dangerous red herring designed to shield so-called VIPs from answering to our national laws and anti-corruption agencies,” the minister said.

The government further reaffirmed its commitment to democratic values, referencing Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which guarantees Nigerians the right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

“The Federal Government remains unwavering in its commitment to the rule of law, due process, and the independence of institutions,” the statement added.

The administration also warned against the spread of fake news and disinformation, noting that such narratives are likely to increase as the 2027 elections draw closer. Nigerians were urged to remain alert and reject what the government described as “the politics of distortion and division.