Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has denied claims that the $1 billion allocated for military arms procurement during his tenure was paid into individual service accounts.
Buratai made the clarification on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference and Awards Ceremony. He addressed the controversy as part of his presentation on the role of technology and intelligence led operations in strengthening Nigeria’s national security.
The retired general stressed the importance of accurate information when discussing defence funding, particularly the channels through which public funds are managed and the responsibilities of the institutions involved in military procurement.
He said proper understanding of these processes was necessary to ensure that discussions about defence spending were based on facts rather than inaccurate claims.
Beyond the issue of military funding, Buratai highlighted the need for Nigeria to strengthen its security architecture through sustained investment in modern equipment, advanced technology and improved intelligence gathering.
He noted that the country’s evolving security challenges required a more coordinated approach to military operations, with greater emphasis on intelligence sharing and the use of modern systems to identify and respond to threats.
Buratai also called for wider adoption of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence and integrated command systems, to improve surveillance, intelligence analysis and decision making within the armed forces.
According to him, the effective use of technology and reliable intelligence would help security agencies plan operations more efficiently and respond more effectively to emerging threats.
The conference was held under the theme, “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.”
The event also featured the unveiling of the first edition of DECAN’s magazine, The Defence Correspondent, marking another milestone for the association and its efforts to promote defence reporting in Nigeria.
