Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant GeneralTukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), has reacted to the comment of National Security Adviser (NSA), Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd), that billions of naira approved for arms purchase under the ex-Service Chiefs cannot be accounted for, saying that under him, no arms fund was missing.
General Monguno told the BBC Hausa that the new Service Chiefs have confirmed that the arms were not purchased.
The former Service Chiefs are General Abayomi Olonisakin (Chief of Defence Staff-CDS); Tukur Buratai (Chief of Army Staff-COAS)); Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Chief of Naval Staff-CNS); Sadique Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff-CAS).
Soon after their exit from the military, President Muhammadu Buhari nominated them for appointment as ambassadors.
The new service chiefs are General Lucky Irabor (CDS); Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru (COAS); Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (CNS); and Air Marshal Ishiaka Oladayo Amao (CAS).
Even though the Office of the NSA had almost retracted General words, General Buratai reacted in a statement issued on his behalf by his lawyer, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, saying funds meant for arms did not get missing under him.
According to Buratai, “yy 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.
