By Emmanuel Nduka
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called on Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence to make its procurement records public amid lingering controversy over the alleged diversion of $1 billion approved for defence procurement during his tenure.
Buratai, who spoke on Monday at the third edition of the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) conference in Abuja, insisted that the funds were released to the Ministry of Defence and never passed through his hands or the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
He described the allegations surrounding the funds as “political and malicious,” arguing that the controversy had unfairly damaged the reputations of service chiefs while the institution responsible for managing the money had not adequately explained how it was spent.
“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 Nigerian Government had publicly refuted the allegations when they emerged during the 2019 election period but lamented that the controversy continued to affect the reputations of service chiefs.
He faulted the Ministry of Defence for failing to publicly explain how the funds were disbursed and how contracts were awarded, insisting that accountability should rest with the institution that managed the procurement process.
“The ministry then on its iwn had not publiclyexplained how funds were disbursed or contracts awarded. Accountability must be properly located,“he said.
To strengthen public confidence in defence spending, Buratai proposed the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to publish information on contracts awarded, the entities handling them and delivery timelines, subject to national security considerations.
“The Ministry of Defence must own procurement record. 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.
He also recommended quarterly accountability bulletins summarising the outcomes of court martial proceedings involving alleged human rights violations and operational misconduct, provided the disclosures did not compromise the rights of accused personnel or ongoing military operations.
On allegations of human rights violations by members of Nigeria’s security forces, Buratai said credible allegations must be investigated and prosecuted where substantiated, stressing that the military must remain subject to the law.
“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 the need for the military to demonstrate that its disciplinary processes were credible, transparent and capable of addressing allegations at all levels.
Buratai further argued that improved communication by the military and the Ministry of Defence would help address public concerns about security operations and ensure that media reports reflected the full context of military engagements.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has called for a more comprehensive approach to tackling Nigeria’s security challenges, stressing that military force alone cannot address the threats confronting the country.
Idris, represented at the conference by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said military operations must be supported by reliable intelligence, modern technology, effective coordination among security agencies and cooperation with local communities.
“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.
He added that the government must also address the conditions that enable criminal groups to recruit members, sustain their operations and threaten the lives and livelihoods of innocent Nigerians.
The minister said President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda placed national security at the centre of the country’s development priorities, noting that the administration was pursuing the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence-led operations, improved surveillance and stronger coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
He disclosed that Tinubu, in August 2026, directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five-year Strategic Defence Operations Plan to improve coordination, establish priorities and guide the deployment of resources.
“This is an important step towards a more coherent national response to evolving threats,” Idris said.
He also disclosed 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 recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel in defending the country.
According to him, the government’s security efforts must produce tangible results for citizens, including safer communities and roads, better protection for farmers and businesses, and an environment where children can attend school without fear.
Addressing the role of the media in national security, Idris emphasised the importance of accurate reporting and responsible verification in helping Nigerians understand security developments, while cautioning against the spread of rumours that could cause panic or undermine military operations.
He stressed, however, that responsible reporting should not prevent journalists from holding public institutions accountable.
“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.
