Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has denied handling any part of the $1bn approved for defence procurement during his time as Army Chief, insisting that the money went directly to the Ministry of Defence.
Speaking at a Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria conference in Abuja on Monday, he said the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force never received the funds through their accounts.
Buratai described the allegations of diversion as “political and malicious,” saying they first emerged during the 2019 elections. He added that the Federal Government had publicly rejected the claims, but the controversy continued to damage the image of service chiefs.
He blamed the Defence Ministry for failing to explain how the money was spent and how contracts were awarded.
Buratai called for a defence procurement transparency portal to publish contract details and delivery timelines, within national security limits. He also proposed quarterly reports on court-martial cases involving human rights violations and military conduct.
He said credible allegations of abuse must be investigated and prosecuted where proven, stressing that “The military is not above the law.”
Meanwhile, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said military force alone could not solve Nigeria’s security problems. He called for better intelligence, modern technology and stronger cooperation among security agencies and communities.
Represented by Voice of Nigeria Director-General Jibrin Ndace, Idris said President Bola Tinubu ordered a National Threat Assessment and a five-year defence operations plan in August 2026.
He also disclosed that Tinubu approved salary increases of 30 to 80 per cent for military personnel from September 2026.
Idris urged the media to verify reports and hold security agencies accountable without exposing sensitive military operations.
