Count Buratai out of $2.1b arms deal, says army

General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff
General Tukur Buratai, Chief of Army Staff
THE leadership of the Nigerian Army yesterday described the group that called for the inclusion of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Yusuf Buratai, in the ongoing military arms procurement probe as mischief-maker and blackmailer, which lacks facts to carry out a “campaign of calumny.”
A statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Sani Usman, said: “It is another campaign intended to misrepresent the institution of the Nigerian army and its current leadership, but unfortunately, the movement could not get its facts right as has always been the case with people with dubious intents. Contrary to their mischief, it should be noted that Gen. Buratai was Director of Procurement at Defence Headquarters from March 2014 to May 2015, and not from 2012 to 2015 as they wished to mislead the public.”
He said the release signed by “Steven Chilaka, its National Secretary” demanding for the inclusion of the Army chief in the ongoing probe of abuse of funds meant for the procurement of arms “simply because he was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ)”, is based on ignorance as the process of procurement in the Defence establishment is completely decentralised with each service responsible for the acquisition, even as the man has a record of excellent service to even before he became Army Chief.
The statement reads in part: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Chief of Army Staff has never been involved in any questionable act throughout his career as military officer let alone when he was at the DHQ.
“As a matter of fact, the Chief of Army Staff has always been a reference point in exemplary conduct, probity and integrity. It is on record that he voluntarily declared his assets both as Commander, MNJTF and as Chief of Army Staff. In addition, he has directed all Nigerian Army officers to do so.”
The Army spokesman wondered the motive to bring to disrepute the integrity of the army officer and the institution as a presidential panel is already working on the case and should be allowed to do the investigation.
“It is advisable also that the faceless group should get their facts right and not just merely speculate or disturb us with their wishful thinking. They should further understand that whatever mischievous intentions they have against the Chief of Army Staff and indeed, the Nigerian Army, both would not be deterred, we shall remain focused and never to be distracted”, he further said

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