By: Manoah Kikekon
 |
| Jeffrey Epstein and Boko Haram |
New revelations have surfaced detailing a calculated effort by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak to capitalize on Nigeria’s national security struggles. Investigations into released U.S. Department of Justice emails suggest the pair viewed the Boko Haram insurgency not as a humanitarian tragedy, but as a "perfect" opening to sell high-end surveillance technology and gain a foothold in Nigeria’s oil and logistics sectors.
A "Strategic Opportunity" Amidst Conflict
The investigation, spearheaded by Drop Site News and reported by Al Jazeera, highlights a chilling 2014 exchange. As Nigeria grappled with the kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls and escalating terror attacks, Epstein emailed Barak regarding the regional unrest, asking, “Isn’t this perfect for you?” Barak’s response was reportedly pragmatic: “You’re right in a way. But not simple to transform it into a cash flow.” Despite the complexity, the duo allegedly moved forward, leveraging Barak’s military and political pedigree to market "field-proven" security solutions systems often refined during operations in Palestinian territories.
From Gaza to Nigeria: Biometrics as Counterterrorism
The financial trail reveals that in 2015, Barak invested $15 million in FST Biometrics, a firm founded by former Israeli military intelligence chief Aharon Ze’evi Farkash. The company’s flagship "Basel" system was originally designed to monitor movement at the Erez crossing in Gaza.
Under the guise of counterterrorism, this technology was reportedly funneled into Nigeria. Key highlights of the expansion include: Babcock University: The sale of biometric surveillance equipment marketed to "filter away all unwanted persons." National Infrastructure: By 2020, the World Bank engaged the Israel National Cyber Directorate and a Barak-linked startup to help shape Nigeria’s national cyber framework.
Security as a Gateway to Oil and Ports
The influence of Epstein and Barak extended far beyond digital walls. Documents suggest that security cooperation served as a "Trojan horse" for entering Nigeria’s lucrative maritime and energy sectors.
Epstein allegedly acted as a high-level broker for DP World, the Dubai-based logistics giant. He reportedly facilitated talks between the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and DP World chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem. The goal? To acquire strategic port assets in Lagos and Badagry.
Note: Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned as chairman of DP World on February 13, 2026, following renewed scrutiny over his historical ties to Epstein.
High-Level Political Access in Abuja
The level of access secured by the duo within the Nigerian government was significant. In 2013, Barak attended a cybersecurity conference in Abuja designed specifically to facilitate private meetings with then-President Goodluck Jonathan.
Following these high-level dinners, Israeli defense contractor Elbit Systems moved forward with a controversial internet surveillance project in Nigeria. This project proceeded despite vocal opposition from some Nigerian lawmakers concerned about privacy and foreign overreach.
The Global Fallout
These findings are part of a massive document leak detailing Epstein’s web of influence among global financiers and intelligence figures. While Ehud Barak has since expressed "regret" over his association with Epstein claiming he was unaware of the extent of Epstein’s crimes until 2019 the records show a partnership that continued long after Epstein’s 2008 conviction.
For Nigeria, the revelations raise uncomfortable questions about how national crises were utilized by foreign actors to embed surveillance state technologies into the country's core infrastructure.