The National Security Adviser, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd.), has, on the order of President Muhammadu Buhari, set up an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till date.
Late President Umar Yar’Adua was in charge from 2007 to 2010 while former President Goodluck Jonathan presided over the affairs of the country from 2010 to 2015. According to a statement on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President directed the NSA to set up the committee with the mandate of identifying irregularities and making recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
Adesina said based on the presidential directive, the NSA had constituted the committee as follows: AVM J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) -President; R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.); R/Adm E. Ogbor (rtd.); Brig.-Gen L. Adekagun (retd.); Brig.-Gen. M. Aminu-Kano (retd.); Brig.-Gen. N. Rimtip (retd.); Cdre T.D. Ikoli; Air Cdre U. Mohammed (retd.); Air Cdre I. Shafi’i; Col. A.A. Ariyibi; Group Capt. C.A. Oriaku (retd.); Mr. I. Magu (EFCC); and Brig.-Gen Y.I. Shalangwa -Secretary.
Adesina explained that the establishment of the committee was in keeping with Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria public service. “It (the committee) comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-East, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects of troops’ morale.
“The committee will specifically investigate allegations of non-adherence to correct equipment procurement procedures and the exclusion of relevant logistics branches from arms procurement under past administrations, which, very often resulted in the acquisition of sub-standard and unserviceable equipment,” he added.
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