$1bn Arms Funds released to Defence Ministry, not Military - Gen. Buratai

Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has clarified that the controversial $1 billion approved for defense procurement during his tenure was disbursed directly to the Ministry of Defence rather than the individual military services.

Speaking on the matter, Buratai stated that the funds approved by the National Economic Council (NEC) did not pass through his hands or 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," Buratai explained. "The Army, Navy, and Air Force never had a single dollar from that fund to make procurement directives."

He described past allegations linking service chiefs to misappropriation as political and malicious, noting that they first surfaced during the 2019 election cycle. 

According to Buratai, although the federal government publicly refuted claims that the money had been diverted for political campaigns, the negative public perception unfairly targeted military commanders instead of the ministry responsible for managing the funds.

Faulting the Ministry of Defence for remaining silent while service chiefs absorbed public criticism, Buratai called for increased accountability and transparency in military procurement.

 He proposed the creation of a dedicated Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish broad categories of awarded contracts, contracting entities, and delivery timelines, subject to national security constraints.

"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.

Addressing human rights concerns, Buratai maintained that the military is not above the law and that credible allegations against personnel must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted where substantiated.

During the discussions, former Senate President and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Defence, Senator Ahmed Lawan, highlighted the National Assembly's continuous support for security agencies.

He noted that the legislature has consistently approved executive funding requests to ensure the Armed Forces are well-equipped.

Meanwhile, Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa emphasized the growing complexity of contemporary security threats, noting that criminal networks and terrorist groups continually exploit technological and coordination gaps.