Account for $1bn arms funds, Buratai tells defence ministry

•Force alone can’t end insecurity –Idris

From** Molly Kilete, **Abuja

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has asked the Ministry of Defence to account for the $1 billion approved for arms procurement during his tenure, insisting that the ministry managed the funds while service chiefs bore the criticism over their alleged diversion.

Buratai’s demand for accountability came as former Senate president, Ahmad Lawan, called for a dedicated share of national revenue and first-line funding for the military and other security agencies to acquire more weapons and overcome delays in budget releases.

Both spoke at the opening of the third Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) conference in Abuja yesterday.

At the same forum, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said increased military capacity must be supported by intelligence, technology and community cooperation, with the ultimate test being safer roads, protected livelihoods and children able to attend school without fear.

Addressing the controversy over the $1 billion, Buratai maintained that neither he nor the armed services received the money, which he said was approved by the National Economic Council and released to the Ministry of Defence.

“Not a single dollar of that fund passed through my hands or through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy, or Air Force.

“The funds were released to the Ministry of Defence, and the entire procurement process was handled by that ministry.”

He described the allegations as “political and malicious,” saying they first surfaced during the 2019 election period, when the opposition claimed the money had been diverted for electoral purposes. Although the Federal Government publicly refuted the allegation, he said the controversy continued to damage the reputation of service chiefs.

“Yet the stain remained, attached to the Service Chiefs rather than the institution that managed the funds,” he said, faulting the ministry for failing to publicly explain the disbursements and contract awards.

Lawan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, argued that the military needed more predictable funding and better equipment to deliver the results Nigerians expected, saying the National Assembly had consistently supported executive requests for security resources.

“Maybe we need to dedicate a certain percentage of our resources to arm our armed forces and other security agencies to safeguard this country.”

He called for bulk purchases of weapons and operational platforms, stressing that personnel could not be sent to fight with inadequate resources and still be expected to achieve much greater success.

“But I believe that we need to give you a lot more. That’s why the National Assembly is thinking that budgets for the armed forces and other security agencies should be on first-line charge.”

Lawan said the proposal would help address the difficulties security agencies faced in accessing budget releases and other resources required for operations, while reaffirming the legislature’s commitment to supporting them within available means.

On the management of procurement funds, Buratai proposed a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish broad categories of contracts awarded, contracting entities and delivery timelines, subject to national security considerations.

“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,” he said.

The retired army chief also urged greater openness about military discipline, recommending quarterly accountability bulletins on court-martial outcomes involving human rights violations and operational conduct, without compromising the rights of accused personnel or ongoing operations.

“I have always maintained that where credible allegations exist, they must be investigated and, where substantiated, prosecuted. The military is not above the law.”

He said disciplinary processes must be credible, transparent and capable of addressing allegations at all levels, adding that better communication by the military and the ministry would help the public understand security operations.

Idris, represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said the conference theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” reflected the need for a broader response to insecurity.

“Military operations remain necessary, but they must be supported by reliable intelligence, modern technology, effective coordination among security agencies and cooperation with communities.”

He said government must also address the conditions that enabled criminal groups to recruit members, operate and threaten citizens’ lives and livelihoods.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was modernising the armed forces, improving surveillance and promoting intelligence-led operations and stronger coordination among security agencies.

He said Tinubu, in August 2026, directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to establish priorities, coordinate operations and guide the deployment of resources.

Idris also said the President approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for armed forces personnel, effective September 2026, to recognise their sacrifices and strengthen their welfare.

“These efforts must continue to produce results that Nigerians can feel: safer communities, more secure roads, protection for farmers and businesses, and the freedom for children to attend school without fear,” he said.

On the media’s role, Lawan urged journalists to explain the work of security agencies, arguing that incidents of banditry should not obscure the progress he said had been achieved. Buratai called for reporting that reflected the full context of military operations, while Idris stressed verification to prevent rumours from creating panic or undermining operations.

The minister, however, said responsible reporting must preserve scrutiny of government and security institutions.

“This does not mean shielding government or the security agencies from scrutiny. Journalists must keep asking difficult questions and hold institutions accountable, while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities,” he said.

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