Billions approved for weapons under Buhari’s former service chiefs are unaccounted for – National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno

The National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Munguno (rtd) has said that the money approved for purchase of weapons under the former service chiefs recently sacked by President Buhari are unaccounted for. 

Munguno in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday March 12, said the newly appointed Service Chiefs who recently assumed office could not find the weapons that their predecessors ought to have purchased. 

Recall that the former service chiefs; Ex-Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin; former Chief of Army Staff; Tukur Buratai, former Chief of Naval Staff; Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas; and former Chief of Air Staff, Sadique Abubakar, nomination as non-career ambassadors by President Buhari was approved by the senate few days ago. 

The NSA in the interview with BBC, stated that the failure of the security personnel to get adequate weapons is a setback to the fight against insecurity.

Monguno said; 

“It is not that we are not working to end the security challenge in the country. The president has done his own part and allocated huge amount of money to purchase weapons but they are yet to be here. We don’t know where they are.

“I am not saying that the past Service Chiefs have diverted the money, but presently we don’t know where the money is.”

On whether investigation has commenced on the issue, the NSA said;

“I am sure the President will investigate this. As I am talking to you now, even the Nigerian Governors’ Forum has started questioning where the money is. So I assure you that the President is not playing with anything that has to do with the people.

“I can’t say the money was stolen but we didn’t see anything and even the new Service Chiefs said they didn’t see the weapons. It is possible the weapons are on their way coming. Maybe from America, England and other places but as at now, I didn’t see anything and the Service Chiefs too didn’t see any weapons too.”

He also disclosed that President Buhari directed the new Service Chiefs to end insurgency within a short period of time, adding that the Nigerian leader is committed to ending insecurity.