Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt-Gen Tukur Buratai, wey be former army chief under whose watch several human rights abuses and killings such as di Shiites’ massacre allegedly take place, don clear di air say di one billion dollars wey dem mark for military arms procurement during him time no ever enter any individual service account.
Buratai yarn dis one when he dey deliver keynote lecture at Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference and Awards Ceremony on Monday for Abuja.
He address di controversy wey surround di arms procurement funding as part of him presentation on technology, intelligence-led operations and Nigeria national security. He talk say di clarification important so people go understand how dem take administer and handle di funds. He argue say discussion on defence procurement suppose stand on correct information about funding channels and institutional responsibilities.
Buratai remarks come as discussion dey go on about need to strengthen Nigeria military capability through modern technology, intelligence sharing and better operational coordination. He talk say security challenges for di country need sustained investment in equipment and systems wey go support intelligence-led operations and response to new threats. Di retired general also push for more use of technology, including artificial intelligence and integrated command systems, to improve surveillance, intelligence analysis and operational decision-making.
Di conference theme na ‘Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.’ Dem also launch DECAN first magazine, The Defence Correspondent.
Buratai talk say di $1 billion approve by National Economic Council for defence procurement. He insist say not a single dollar of dat fund pass through him hand or through accounts of Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force. According to am, dem release di funds to Ministry of Defence and di entire procurement process na dat ministry handle. He talk say Army, Navy and Air Force never get a single dollar from dat fund to make procurement directives.
He describe allegations of diversion as ‘political and malicious.’ He talk say di allegations first show during 2019 election period when opposition claim say dem divert di money for electoral purposes, but Federal Government publicly refute am. Still, he lament say di stain remain and e attach to Service Chiefs instead of di institution wey manage di funds.
Buratai criticise Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly explain how dem disburse di funds and award contracts. He talk say di ministry then, on im own, no publicly explain how funds disbursed or contracts awarded, and accountability must dey properly located.
He call for more transparency for military procurement. He recommend Defence Procurement Transparency Portal wey go publish information on contracts awarded, contracting entities and delivery timelines, under national security limits. He talk say Ministry of Defence must own procurement records. He add say di $1 billion arms procurement controversy fester because di institution wey manage di funds, Ministry of Defence, remain silent while Service Chiefs absorb criticism. He talk say when media ask where money went, answer suppose come from di ministry wey spend am, not from military officers wey never touch am.
Buratai also propose quarterly accountability bulletins wey go summarise court-martial outcomes involving human rights violations and operational conduct, as long as di publications no compromise rights of accused personnel or ongoing military operations. On allegations of human rights violations by security personnel, he talk say credible claims suppose dey investigated and prosecuted where substantiated. He maintain say military no dey above di law. He talk say military need demonstrate say im disciplinary processes dey credible, transparent and capable to address allegations at all levels. He add say better communication by military and Ministry of Defence go help address public concerns and make sure media reports reflect full context of security operations.
Speaking at di event, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, talk say Nigeria security challenges no fit dey addressed through military force alone. Idris, wey Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, represent, call for improved intelligence, modern technology and stronger collaboration among security agencies and communities. He talk say military operations still necessary but dem must support am with measures to address conditions wey enable criminal groups to recruit members and threaten lives and livelihoods of citizens.
