Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has denied handling any part of the controversial $1bn arms procurement fund, insisting that the money was managed by the Ministry of Defence and never passed through his hands or the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy or Air Force.
Buratai made the clarification on Monday in Abuja at a conference organised by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria, describing allegations that the funds were diverted for political purposes as “political and malicious.”
The retired general said the National Economic Council approved the $1bn for defence procurement, but the Ministry of Defence controlled the funds and managed the procurement process.
“Not a single dollar of that fund passed through my hands or through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force,” he said.
Buratai argued that the military service chiefs had been unfairly subjected to public criticism over the controversy, despite the ministry being responsible for managing the money and awarding contracts.
He said the allegations emerged during the 2019 general election, when opposition figures accused the government of diverting the funds for electoral purposes.
According to him, the Federal Government denied the allegations at the time, but the controversy continued to tarnish the reputations of military chiefs without adequate clarification from the institution responsible for the funds.
“The ministry then, on its own, had not publicly explained how funds were disbursed or contracts awarded. Accountability must be properly located,” he said.
The former army chief called on the Ministry of Defence to account for the funds by explaining how the money was disbursed and which contracts were awarded, subject to legitimate national security restrictions.
He proposed the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to provide information on defence contracts, contractors and delivery timelines, arguing that greater transparency would help restore public confidence in military procurement.
“The $1bn arms procurement controversy festered because the institution that managed the funds, the Ministry of Defence, remained silent while Service Chiefs absorbed criticism,” Buratai said.
“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.”
His comments come amid persistent concerns over transparency in Nigeria’s defence spending, as the country continues to battle insurgency, terrorism, banditry and other security threats.
Buratai also called for the publication of quarterly accountability bulletins detailing the outcomes of court-martial proceedings involving alleged human rights violations and misconduct during military operations.
He said such disclosures should protect the rights of accused personnel while ensuring that sensitive operational information was not exposed.
On allegations of human rights abuses by security personnel, the retired general said credible complaints must be investigated and prosecuted where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
“The military is not above the law,” he said, calling for credible and transparent disciplinary mechanisms capable of addressing misconduct at all levels.
Buratai further urged the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence to improve communication with journalists to promote accurate reporting of security operations and help Nigerians better understand military activities.
Speaking at the same conference, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s security challenges could not be resolved through military force alone.
Idris, who was represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said military operations must be backed by reliable intelligence, modern technology, coordination among security agencies and cooperation with local communities.
He said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was pursuing the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-led operations, improved surveillance and stronger coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
The minister also disclosed that Tinubu directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan in August 2026 to improve security planning and the deployment of resources.
According to Idris, the President approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, in recognition of their sacrifices.
He said security policies must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, including safer communities and roads, protection for farmers and businesses, and secure access to education.
On the media’s role in national security, Idris urged journalists to verify information and report responsibly, warning that unverified reports and rumours could generate panic or undermine military operations.
However, he cautioned against using responsible journalism as a justification for shielding the government or security agencies from public scrutiny.
“Journalists must keep asking difficult questions and hold institutions accountable, while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities,” he said.
