The National Security Adviser to the President, Maj. – Gen Babagana Monguno ( retd. ) , has said some funds meant for the purchase of arms to strengthen the country ’ s anti -terror war got missing under the leadership of the ex – service chiefs.
The ex – service chiefs are Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen . Tukur Buratai ; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar .
The NSA , in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday , said , “No one knows what happened to the money but by God ’ s grace, the president will investigate to find out whether the money was spent and where the arms went. ”
The NSA also added that the new service chiefs have not seen any of the arms that the funds were supposed to be used to procure.
The President , Major General Muhammadu Buhari ( retd.) , had appointed Buratai , Olonisakin, Ibas and Abubakar in July 2015 but the Commander- In- Chief replaced them in January 2021 after a persistent clamour from Nigerians that he introduce fresh blood in the country ’s anti- terror war , especially against Boko Haram in Nigeria ’ s North – East region .
The new service chiefs are Major-General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff; Major- General I . Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A. Z Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air – Vice Marshal I .O Amao as Chief of Air Staff .
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the NSA said on Thursday at a State House Briefing in Aso Villa , Abuja, that the President has released a lot of funds for the military to purchase firepower and win the insurgency fight.
Monguno had also said that the Buhari-regime was not interested in dialogue with terrorists , bandits and other criminals as negotiation paints the government as weak and incapable.
The NSA , therefore , vowed that the military , headed by the new chiefs has what it takes to crush the enemies of the Nigerian state without the help of mercenaries.
