The United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has warned that the release of certain records linked to Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could expose its agents and confidential sources to threats, violent retaliation or possible assassination.
The warning was contained in a court filing submitted by the FBI on August 28, 2026, in which the agency argued against the public disclosure of records connected to Tinubu.
According to the filing, releasing the information could potentially reveal details capable of identifying FBI personnel and confidential informants, thereby putting them at risk.
The agency said such disclosure could have serious security consequences, particularly if individuals who might be implicated or affected by the information were able to identify those who provided assistance to investigators.
The FBI's position comes amid ongoing legal efforts seeking access to records relating to Tinubu. The documents have attracted significant public interest because of the Nigerian president's long-standing interactions with US authorities and questions surrounding records held by American law-enforcement agencies.
The bureau maintained that protecting the identities of its agents, informants and other sources is necessary to prevent intimidation, retaliation and possible physical harm.
The filing does not, by itself, establish that Tinubu committed any crime or that the Nigerian president personally poses a threat to FBI personnel. Rather, the FBI's argument centres on the potential consequences of publicly releasing sensitive information contained in its records.
The development is expected to intensify public interest in the legal battle over the documents and what information, if any, may eventually be made public.