Arms Funding: Former Chief Of Army Staff, Buratai Reacts To Missing Billions Of Naira

Former Chief of Army Staff, Gen Tukur Buratai (retd), has reacted to reports that billions of naira approved for arms purchase under the ex-service chiefs are missing.

AllNews Nigeria earlier reported that National Security Adviser (NSA) Mohammed Babagana Monguno in an interview with BBC Hausa Service hinted that the funds have gone missing.

NSA Monguno's hint came barely one month after President Muhammadu Buhari replaced the service chiefs headed by Gabriel Olonishakin, the former chief of defence staff. Others were Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar Sadique and Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok Ibas.

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Monguno said, “No one knows what happened to the money, but by God’s grace, the president will investigate to find out where it went or where the goods went.”

However, barely 24 hours after the interview, the office of the National Security Adviser stated that he was quoted of context “as he did not categorically say that funds meant for arms procurement were missing under the Former Service Chiefs as reported or transcribed by some media outlets from the BBC interview.”

Reacting in a statement through his lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, Buratai said funds meant for arms did not get missing under his command.

“My attention has been drawn to an interview granted BBC by National Security Adviser (NSA), RTD Major General Babagana Monguno, wherein he was alleged to have accused former service chiefs of filtering ARMS Fund away.”

“I can confirm that Lt. General Buratai and other ex-service chiefs were never mentioned in the interview and neither was any arms fund missing under the stewardship of Lt. Gen T.Y. Buratai.

“Interestingly, NSA Babagana Monguno has denied making such accusations. We, therefore, urge members of the public to discountenance any such misquoted narrative suggesting sleaze on the integrity of Rtd Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai.

“Anyone interested in knowing how arms were procured by the ex-service chiefs and particularly Lt Gen T.Y. Buratai should channel such request for information to the Ministry of Defence,” the statement read.

Senate Vow To Investigate Allegations

AllNews Nigeria gathered that the Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume, said the red chamber would investigate Monguno’s allegation against the ex-service chiefs.

He said, “I have not ascertained the authenticity of the claims credited to the National Security Adviser as published in the media.

“I have just read it in the newspapers. It is a very serious allegation and we have to confirm from the source first.

“We will find out as part of our oversight functions. We will meet as a committee to take a decision on the matter. But we will first find out the genuineness of the claims. We cannot just act on rumours.”