Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Yusuf Buratai (retd.), on Monday disclosed that the $1bn approved for defence procurement during his tenure as Army Chief, by the federal government was released to the Ministry of Defence and not the services.
Gen Buratai disclosed that the funds which was approved by the National Economic Council did not pass through his hands or the accounts of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force.
Gen Buratai said allegations surrounding the funds turned out to be “political and malicious” noting that “they first emerged during the 2019 election period when the opposition alleged that the money had been diverted for electoral purposes”.
“His words, 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”.
The former COAS said the Federal Government publicly refuted the allegation at the time but lamented that the controversy continued to affect the reputation of service chiefs.
He faulted the ministry for publicly explaining how the funds were disbursed or how contracts were awarded.
” The ministry since then on its own had not publicly explained how the funds were disbursed or contracts awarded. Accountability must be properly located,”he said.
While calling for for greater transparency in military procurement, Buratai recommended the establishment of a defence procurement transparency portal, to publish information on contracts awarded, contracting entities 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.
Furthermore, Buratai proposed quarterly accountability bulletins summarising court martial outcomes relating to human rights violations and operational conduct, provided the publications did not compromise the rights of accused personnel or ongoing military operations.
Speaking on alleged human rights violations by members of the Nigerian security forces, Buratai said credible claims should be investigated and, where substantiated, prosecuted.
“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.
He said that improved communication by the military and the Ministry of Defence would help address public concerns and ensure that media reports reflected the full context of security operations.
In his remarks, Former Senate President and Chairman Senate Committee on Defence Senator Ahmed Lawan called for a dedicated percent of Nigeria’s revenue to funding of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies to procure more platforms.
He noted that the National Assembly has been supporting the Armed forces and other security agencies by way of budgetary approvals saying, “For us in the National Assembly, it is our duty to support the arm of government, to ensure that whatever resources are available and are required, are requested by the arm of government, we support that and we even give more.
As at today, I am over 27 years as a member of the National Assembly, I have not seen any request sent by the executive for the armed forces and other security agencies that has not been approved. In fact, in most cases, they were always approved. Because we believe that security is first,”.
He reiterated that constitutionally, the security and welfare of citizens is the essence of government. “therefore, we will continue to support our work with the arm of government to ensure that the resources that we have within our constraints are made available for our security agencies and armed forces.
He said ” Let me at this point suggest that as we receive more and more revenues, better revenues than before, especially outside of the war, I think we need to have more platforms, more weapons, purchase in bulk. Maybe we need to dedicate a certain percentage of our resources to arm our armed forces and other security agencies to safeguard this country.
“I believe that this is one way of ensuring that our armed forces are better supported because you cannot send someone to go out and fight with little and of course expect much success. But credit to our armed forces and other security agencies, we are still doing very well.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 because this will contain the problems that sometimes our armed forces face in terms of budget releases and other resources that must make them do better and so on,”.
He charged journalists to inform Nigerians about the services of security agencies despite pockets of insecurity in the country.
“I believe that our armed forces are still working so hard and therefore from time to time when we face banditry, it’s not a good reason for anyone to say Nigeria is totally insecure.It’s not true. I believe that we have moved from where we were to a better situation now but we can make this better, far more better. We will continue to fight the way we have been fighting insurgency and banditry and other criminal activities in the country” he concluded.
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Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa in his remarks said, ‘Today’s security threats are increasingly complex, adaptive and interconnected. Terrorist groups, criminal networks and other adversaries exploit information, technology, financial systems and gaps in coordination to pursue their objectives.
Represented by Air Commodore Steven Ogunmodede Rtd, Senior Special Adviser on Foreign Relations, the minister said, “Consequently, our response must combine effective combat operations with timely intelligence, technological capability, sound planning and cooperation among relevant security institutions.
“This is the essence of intelligence-led operations. The ability to identify a threat early, understand its networks, anticipate its intentions and act with precision can make the difference between preventing an attack and responding after lives have been lost.
“Technology can strengthen our surveillance, reconnaissance, communications and analytical capabilities, but it must be supported by trained personnel, reliable systems, effective doctrine and sound operational judgement.
“Technology is a force multiplier, it does not replace the human judgement, discipline and professional competence upon which military effectiveness ultimately depends.
“At the Ministry of Defence and across the Armed Forces of Nigeria, we recognise the importance of these capabilities and continue to pursue approaches that improve situational awareness, intelligence coordination and operational effectiveness.
“We must remain willing to learn, adapt and innovate, while ensuring that investments in technology translate into practical improvements in our ability to protect lives, defend our territorial integrity and respond to emerging threats.
“Equally important is the need to strengthen cooperation across our security architecture, because no single institution possesses all the information or capabilities required to address today’s security challenges.
Continuing he said, “The relationship between national security institutions and the media is sometimes characterised by competing demands: the public’s legitimate right to information on one hand, and the operational requirements of security agencies on the other. I do not believe these interests should be treated as inherently incompatible.
“Responsible journalism strengthens public understanding, promotes accountability and helps sustain confidence in our institutions. Equally, an appreciation of operational realities helps ensure that reporting does not inadvertently undermine ongoing efforts to protect lives.
“Intelligence-led operations are not always visible. An operation that prevents an attack may produce no dramatic images, and a successful intelligence effort may never become public knowledge because the information involved must remain protected.
“The absence of a visible engagement should therefore not automatically be interpreted as an absence of action. At the same time, security institutions must recognise that public confidence is strengthened when information is communicated accurately, promptly and responsibly, to the extent that operational considerations permit
“I therefore encourage defence correspondents to continue exercising the professionalism and sound judgement required by their vocation. Scrutiny of the Armed Forces is legitimate and necessary, and accurate reporting can help improve institutional performance.
“However, care must be taken with unverified reports, sensitive operational details and information whose premature disclosure could expose personnel, compromise an operation or endanger civilians. My expectation is not that the media should abandon legitimate scrutiny, but that the pursuit of information should be balanced with an appreciation of the consequences that reporting can sometimes carry in a security environment.”
Dignitaries at the occasion included former Vice President of Sierra Leone, His Excellency
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be addressed by military force alone, calling for improved intelligence, modern technology and stronger collaboration among security agencies and communities.
Idris, represented by the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said military operations remained necessary but must be complemented by measures to address the conditions enabling 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 centre of Nigeria’s development, adding 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 said the President had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026, describing the decision as recognition of the sacrifices made by security personnel.
According to him, security initiatives must translate into tangible improvements in the lives of Nigerians, including safer communities and roads, protection for farmers and businesses, and an environment where children can attend school without fear.
On the role of the media, Idris said accurate reporting and responsible verification were necessary to help citizens understand security developments and prevent rumours from creating panic or undermining military operations.
He, however, warned against interpreting responsible reporting as shielding the government or security agencies from scrutiny.
“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.
Dignitaries at the occasion included the former Vice President of Sierra Leone, Samuel Samsamana, Permanent Secretary General Services, Office of the SGF, Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Representatives of the CDS, Major General Samaila Uba and those of service chiefs and the Inspector General of Police. The National Security Adviser was represented by Mr Zakari Mijinyawa. Also present was the Commander of the Mining Marshals, NSCDC Commander Onoja.
