The Nigerian Army has
reacted to the call by the “Save the Nation Group”, for Chief of Army Staff,
Tukur Buratai, to be interrogated over the $2.1 billion arms deal. The group in
a statement released yesterday said that since Buratai was the Director of
Procurement in the Army from 2012 to 2015, and that he has questions to answer.
However in their reaction, the Nigerian Army in a statement signed by the
Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col S.K Usman and released today, said
contrary to this claim, Buratai was the Director of Procurement from 2014 to
2015. Read the statement below...
The Nigerian Army has
noted with dismay the attempt to rubbish the hard earned name and reputation of
the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai and the
Nigerian Army by a faceless group that called itself “Save the Nation Movement”
(STNM) through orchestrated campaign of calumny in the media. In a release
signed by Steven Chilaka, its “National Secretary” on Sunday, they wanted the
Chief of Army Staff to be included among those indicted 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).
The public will recall our
earlier warning of this type of campaign of calumny against the Nigerian Army
and the Chief of Army Staff. This has again reared its ugly head again.
Unfortunately, the movement could not get their facts right as has always been
the case with people with dubious intents. Contrary to their mischief, it
should be noted that General Buratai was Director of Procurement at Defence Headquarters
from March 2014 to May 2015, not from 2012 to 2015 as they wished to mislead
the public. Furthermore, there is the need to educate the ignorant group that,
Defence Procurement in Nigeria is decentralised; each Service is responsible
for its procurement. It is advisable for the group to look elsewhere if they
want to attack the Chief of Army Staff.
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.
One wonders what is the
faceless group’s motive and why they are in a hurry to rubbish the good name of
the Chief Army Staff and the Nigerian Army, when there is a Presidential Panel
already working selflessly. Why is the group trying to jump the gun. Let these
mischievous elements which Steven Chilaka represents, allow the Panel to
discharge its duties dispassionately as it is doing. 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. Consequently, the public is please
requested to disregard the so called Movement’s evil machinations which would
surely fall back on them. You are please requested to disseminate this
information to the public through your medium. Thank for your kind cooperation.
Colonel Sani Kukasheka
Usman
Acting Director Army Public Relations
Acting Director Army Public Relations
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