Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai (retd.), has denied receiving or controlling the $1 billion approved for defence procurement during his tenure, insisting that the funds were released directly to the Ministry of Defence.
Buratai said neither he nor the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force received any portion of the money through their accounts, stressing that the ministry was responsible for managing the procurement process.
He made the clarification on Monday while speaking at a conference organised by the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja, where he described allegations surrounding the fund as politically motivated and malicious.
According to the retired army chief, the controversy emerged during the 2019 general election when opposition figures alleged that the money had been diverted to finance political activities. He said the Federal Government publicly denied the allegations at the time, but the controversy continued to affect the reputations of military service chiefs.
“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,” Buratai said.
He maintained that the armed forces did not receive funds from the allocation to initiate procurement directives, adding that responsibility for the process rested with the Ministry of Defence.
Buratai also criticised the ministry for failing to provide a detailed public explanation of how the money was disbursed and how contracts were awarded. He argued that the absence of clear information had allowed questions about the fund to persist, with service chiefs bearing much of the criticism.
He called for greater transparency in military spending, recommending the establishment of a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to provide public information on contracts, the organisations awarded the contracts and expected delivery timelines.
He said such disclosures should be made within limits imposed by national security requirements, noting that the public deserved clear answers from the institutions responsible for managing defence funds.
“The Ministry of Defence must own procurement records. 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,” he said.
Buratai added that information about defence spending should come from the ministry responsible for the funds rather than military officers who, according to him, had no direct access to the money.
The retired general also proposed the publication of quarterly accountability bulletins detailing the outcomes of court martial proceedings involving alleged human rights abuses and misconduct during military operations.
He said the reports should be prepared in a way that protects the rights of accused personnel and avoids exposing sensitive details that could compromise ongoing operations.
On allegations of human rights violations by members of the Nigerian security forces, Buratai said credible complaints must be investigated and prosecuted where evidence supports the claims.
“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 that the armed forces needed to demonstrate that their disciplinary systems were effective, transparent and capable of addressing misconduct at every level. He also stressed the importance of better communication by the military and the Ministry of Defence to help the public understand security operations and the circumstances surrounding reported incidents.
Speaking at the same event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said Nigeria’s security challenges required more than military action, calling for improved intelligence gathering, modern technology and stronger cooperation among security agencies and local communities.
Idris, who was represented by the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said military operations remained essential but would achieve better results when supported by measures addressing the conditions that allow criminal groups to recruit members and threaten lives and livelihoods.
“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 heart of the country’s development priorities. He added that the administration was pursuing the modernisation of the Armed Forces, intelligence led operations, improved surveillance and closer coordination among security and intelligence agencies.
Idris disclosed that Tinubu directed the preparation of a comprehensive National Threat Assessment and a rolling five year Strategic Defence Operations Plan in August 2026. According to him, the measures are intended to improve coordination, set clear priorities and guide the allocation of resources in response to emerging security threats.
He described the initiative as an important step towards building a more coordinated national security response.
The minister also announced that the President had approved salary increases of between 30 and 80 per cent for Armed Forces personnel, effective September 2026. He said the adjustment reflected recognition of the sacrifices made by military personnel and others serving in the country’s security agencies.
Idris stressed that security policies must produce practical improvements in the daily lives of Nigerians. These, he said, should include safer communities and roads, better protection for farmers and businesses, and an environment where children can attend school without fear of attacks.
Addressing the media’s role in security reporting, he urged journalists to verify information carefully and report developments accurately to help the public understand the situation and prevent rumours from causing unnecessary panic or undermining military operations.
However, he cautioned that responsible reporting should not be interpreted as an attempt to protect the government or security agencies from criticism.
“This does not mean shielding the government or the security agencies from scrutiny. Journalists must keep asking difficult questions and hold institutions accountable, while respecting legitimate operational sensitivities,” Idris said.
The minister’s remarks highlighted the need to balance national security concerns with public accountability, while Buratai’s comments renewed calls for clearer disclosure of defence spending and stronger institutional responsibility for military procurement.
