Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has clarified that the $1 billion earmarked for military arms procurement during his tenure was never paid into the private or individual accounts of any of the armed services.
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Buratai made the clarification on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote lecture at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference and Awards Ceremony.
Addressing the controversy surrounding the arms procurement fund, the former army chief said it was important for public discussion on defence expenditure to reflect the actual funding arrangements and institutional processes through which military procurements were handled.
According to him, the $1 billion approved for arms acquisition was not transferred into individual service accounts, contrary to impressions that may have arisen in discussions surrounding the expenditure.
His comments formed part of a wider presentation on Nigeria’s security architecture, military technology and the growing importance of intelligence-led operations in confronting emerging threats.
Buratai argued that discussions around defence procurement should be based on accurate information about the channels through which funds are administered and the responsibilities of the institutions involved.
He also stressed the need for Nigeria to continue strengthening its military capabilities through sustained investment in modern equipment, intelligence gathering and improved operational coordination.
According to the retired general, the evolving nature of the country’s security challenges requires greater deployment of technology to support surveillance, intelligence analysis and battlefield decision-making.
He advocated increased adoption of artificial intelligence and integrated command systems, saying such technology could improve the ability of security agencies to process intelligence and respond more effectively to threats.
The conference, themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security,” brought together defence stakeholders and journalists to discuss emerging approaches to national security.
The event also featured the launch of DECAN’s maiden magazine, The Defence Correspondent.
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