By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), said the $1bn approved for defence procurement during his tenure was released to the Ministry of Defence, not the military services or himself.
Speaking at the 2026 DECAN conference in Abuja on Monday, Buratai described allegations surrounding the funds as “political and malicious.”
He said the allegations emerged during the 2019 elections, when opposition figures claimed the money was diverted for electoral purposes, a claim the Federal Government reportedly refuted.
Buratai said the controversy damaged service chiefs’ reputations while the Ministry of Defence failed to explain publicly how the funds were spent and contracts awarded.
He recommended a Defence Procurement Transparency Portal to disclose contract categories, contractors and delivery timelines, subject to national security restrictions.
He proposed quarterly accountability bulletins on court martial outcomes involving human rights violations and operational conduct, while protecting due process and military operations.
Buratai maintained that credible human rights allegations against security personnel should be investigated and prosecuted where substantiated, stressing that the military is not above the law.
The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), said modern security threats require combat operations, timely intelligence, advanced technology and stronger cooperation among security agencies.
Represented by Air Cdre Steven Ogunmodede (retd.), Musa urged responsible journalism, cautioning against unverified reports and sensitive disclosures that could endanger personnel, civilians or military operations.
Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. OO Oluyede, said modern warfare increasingly relies on real-time intelligence, technological superiority, cyber resilience and control of the information environment.
Oluyede warned that AI-generated videos, manipulated images, cloned voices and false operational claims could undermine public trust and national security. He urged journalists to verify sensitive reports with Defence Headquarters and expose fabricated content.
DECAN President, Comrade Odita Sunday, identified AI, satellite surveillance, data analytics and unmanned systems as vital tools for addressing Nigeria’s evolving security threats.
Sunday said threats now extend beyond traditional battlefields to cyberspace, digital platforms, information networks and financial systems exploited by terrorists and criminal groups.
He stressed that technology must be supported by sound policies, trained personnel and effective intelligence sharing to improve threat detection and security responses.
