Buhari’s Ex Service Chiefs Embezzle $1Bn For Arms Purchase – Monguno

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says funds allocated for buying of arms under the former service chiefs can’t be accountable for.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari in January, after months of clamour for their removal amid deteriorating security conditions, replaced Gabriel Olonisakin, Tukur Buratai, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, Sadique Abubakar  as chiefs of defence, army, navy and air force respectively.

Lucky Irabor took over as chief of defence staff; Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff; Awwal Gambo, chief of naval staff; and Isiaka Amao, chief of air staff.

In an BBC interview on Friday, Monguno said there was likelihood that the former service chiefs have siphoned or misappropriated funds meant for purchase of weapons.

Monguno disclosed that the new service chiefs did not meet the money approved for arms purchase when they assumed office, adding that the new service chiefs need to know how the funds are expended in order to enable them make plans and achieve their objectives.

“We don’t know where the money went to. The president has given out some money for equipment but they are yet to arrive,” he said.

“The president has done his best by ensuring that he released exorbitant funds for the procurement of weapons which are yet to be procured, they are not there. Now the president has employed new hands that might come with new ideas. I am not saying that those that have retired have stolen the funds, no. But the funds might have been used in other ways unknown to anybody at present”

He averred that the president would not take the issue lightly, adding that the governors were beginning express concerns over the utilisation of the $1 billion meant for arms purchase.

He said despite the huge amount released for purchase of funds, the security challenges in the country has continue to worsen.

“Mr President is going to investigate those funds. As we are talking with you at present, the state governors, the Governors Forum have started raising questions in that direction. $1 billion has been released, that and that has been released, and nothing seem to be changing. So I assure you that the president will not take this lightly.

“The funds are nowhere to be found and the weapons have not been seen and the newly appointed service chiefs have declared that they have not seen the weapons. Maybe they are on the high seas, on their way coming from wherever they were purchased, from the US or Europe, but for now there is nothing on ground. I have not seen anything the service chiefs have also not seen anything.”

Monguno added that the matter is being investigated.

In 2018, Buhari approved the release of $1 billion for the procurement of security equipment to fight Boko Haram insurgents.

There have, however, been complaints about lack of equipment and ammunition for the troops that has been fighting the insurgency in the past 10 years.

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