Buratai denies handling $1bn defence fund, says ministry of defence controlled procurement

Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has denied having direct access to the $1bn approved for defence procurement during his tenure, insisting that the funds were managed by the Ministry of Defence.

Buratai made the clarification on Monday at a conference organised by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, where he dismissed allegations surrounding the money as politically motivated.

He explained that the National Economic Council approved the funds for defence procurement but that the money was neither paid to him personally nor routed through the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy or Air Force.

“The $1 billion was approved by the National Economic Council for defence procurement. 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.

“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. They first surfaced during the 2019 election period, when the opposition alleged the funds had been diverted for electoral purposes-a claim the Federal Government publicly refuted. Yet the stain remained, attached to the Service Chiefs rather than the institution that managed the funds”, Buratai stated.

The retired army chief said the Federal Government had publicly rejected the allegations when they first emerged during the 2019 election period. However, he lamented that the controversy continued to damage the reputations of military service chiefs rather than focus attention on the institution responsible for administering the money.

He also criticised the Ministry of Defence for failing to provide a public account of the disbursement of the funds and the contracts awarded.

“The ministry then, on its own, had not publicly explained how funds were disbursed or contracts awarded. Accountability must be properly located,” he said.

To improve public confidence in defence spending, Buratai advocated a more transparent procurement framework, including the creation of an online portal through which relevant contract information could be made available without compromising national security.

“The Ministry of Defence must own procurement records. The $1 billion arms procurement controversy festered because the institution that managed the funds, the Ministry of Defence, remained silent while Service Chiefs absorbed criticism.

“I recommend a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal that publishes, within national security limits, broad categories of contracts awarded, contracting entities, and delivery timelines. 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.

Buratai further recommended quarterly accountability bulletins detailing the outcomes of court-martial proceedings involving alleged human rights abuses and violations of operational rules.

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He said such disclosures should be handled carefully to protect the rights of accused personnel and avoid exposing sensitive information that could jeopardise ongoing military operations.

Addressing concerns about human rights violations by Nigerian security personnel, the former army chief maintained that credible allegations must be subjected to investigation and appropriate legal action where evidence supports them.

“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.

He acknowledged that the Armed Forces must demonstrate that their internal disciplinary mechanisms are trustworthy, transparent and capable of addressing misconduct, irrespective of the rank of those involved.

Buratai also called for improved communication by the military and the Ministry of Defence, arguing that timely explanations and adequate context would help the media report security operations more accurately and address public concerns.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said tackling Nigeria’s security problems required more than military operations, stressing the importance of intelligence gathering, modern technology and cooperation among security agencies and local communities.

Idris, who was represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, noted that although military action remained essential, it must be accompanied by efforts to address the circumstances that enable criminal groups to recruit members and threaten the lives and livelihoods of citizens.

“This Conference’s theme is particularly relevant because today’s security threats cannot be addressed by force alone. 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.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda placed national security at the heart of the country’s development priorities.

He added that the administration was pursuing the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-driven operations, enhanced surveillance and improved coordination among security and intelligence institutions.

Idris 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 establish priorities, improve coordination and guide the allocation of resources.

“This is an important step towards a more coherent national response to evolving threats,” Idris said.

The minister further revealed that the President had approved salary increases ranging from 30 to 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, describing the measure as an acknowledgement of the sacrifices made by military and other security personnel.

He stressed that the impact of government security policies should be reflected in the daily experiences of Nigerians, including safer communities and highways, adequate protection for farmers and businesses, and secure learning environments for schoolchildren.

On media coverage of security matters, Idris urged journalists to prioritise accuracy, responsible verification and balanced reporting to prevent misinformation from causing panic or undermining military operations.

He, however, emphasised that the need for responsible reporting should not prevent the media from scrutinising the government and security institutions.

“This does not mean shielding the 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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