$1bn Arms Funds launched to Defence Ministry, not Military – Gen. Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has clarified that the controversial $1 billion accepted for protection procurement throughout his tenure was disbursed on to the Ministry of Defence moderately than the person navy companies.

Speaking on the matter, Buratai said that the funds accepted by the National Economic Council (NEC) didn’t go by his fingers or the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

“The funds were released to the Ministry of Defence, and the entire procurement process was handled by that ministry,” Buratai defined. “The Army, Navy, and Air Force never had a single dollar from that fund to make procurement directives.”

He described previous allegations linking service chiefs to misappropriation as political and malicious, noting that they first surfaced through the 2019 election cycle.

According to Buratai, though the federal authorities publicly refuted claims that the cash had been diverted for political campaigns, the damaging public notion unfairly focused navy commanders as a substitute of the ministry chargeable for managing the funds.

Faulting the Ministry of Defence for remaining silent whereas service chiefs absorbed public criticism, Buratai known as for elevated accountability and transparency in navy procurement.

 He proposed the creation of a devoted Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish broad classes of awarded contracts, contracting entities, and supply timelines, topic to nationwide safety constraints.

“When the media asks where the money went, the answer should come from the ministry that spent it, not from military officers who never touched it,” he stated.

Addressing human rights considerations, Buratai maintained that the navy isn’t above the legislation and that credible allegations towards personnel should be completely investigated and prosecuted the place substantiated.

During the discussions, former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, highlighted the National Assembly’s steady assist for safety companies.

He famous that the legislature has persistently accepted govt funding requests to make sure the Armed Forces are well-equipped.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa emphasised the rising complexity of up to date safety threats, noting that felony networks and terrorist teams regularly exploit technological and coordination gaps.