Buratai: Service Chiefs Never Touched $1bn Arms Procurement Fund
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has denied allegations that Nigeria’s Service Chiefs diverted the $1bn arms procurement fund, insisting that the Army, Navy and Air Force had no direct access to the money.
Buratai described the allegations as politically motivated, saying they first emerged during the 2019 election period when the opposition accused the Federal Government of diverting the funds for electoral purposes.
He said although the Federal Government publicly refuted the allegations, the controversy continued to damage the reputation of the Service Chiefs rather than the Ministry of Defence, which managed the funds.
“The Army, Navy, and Air Force never had a single dollar from that fund to make procurement directives. I have described these allegations as political and malicious,” he stated.
The retired army chief faulted the ministry for failing to publicly clarify how the funds were disbursed and contracts awarded, insisting that accountability must rest with the institution responsible for managing the money.
He called for the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish information on contracts, contractors and delivery timelines, subject to national security considerations.
Buratai also proposed quarterly accountability bulletins summarising court-martial outcomes involving human rights violations and operational conduct, provided the disclosures did not undermine the rights of accused personnel or ongoing military operations.
On alleged human rights abuses by security personnel, he maintained that credible claims must be investigated and prosecuted where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
“The military is not above the law,” he said, stressing the need for credible and transparent disciplinary procedures across the Armed Forces.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s security challenges required more than military force, urging improved intelligence gathering, modern technology and stronger collaboration among security agencies and local communities.
Idris, represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said military operations must be complemented by efforts to address the conditions that enable criminal groups to recruit members and threaten citizens’ livelihoods.
He disclosed that President Bola Tinubu directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan in August 2026 to strengthen coordination and guide resource deployment.
The minister also said Tinubu had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, describing the move as recognition of their sacrifices.
On media coverage of security operations, Idris urged journalists to verify information and report responsibly to prevent rumours from creating panic or undermining military operations.
He, however, cautioned that responsible reporting should not prevent journalists from scrutinising the government and security agencies.
“Journalists must keep asking difficult questions and hold institutions accountable, while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities,” he said.
