Former Chief of Army Staff, retired Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, has clarified that the $1 billion earmarked for military arms procurement during his tenure was not paid into individual service accounts.
Buratai made the clarification on Monday in Abuja while delivering a keynote lecture at the Defence Correspondents Association of Nigeria (DECAN) Conference and Awards Ceremony.
The retired general addressed the controversy surrounding the arms procurement funds during his presentation on technology, intelligence-led operations and Nigeria’s national security.
He stressed the importance of accurate information about defence funding channels and the institutional responsibilities involved in managing military procurement resources.
According to Buratai, discussions surrounding military arms procurement should be based on a clear understanding of how the funds were administered rather than assumptions about payments to individual services.
His remarks came amid broader conversations about strengthening Nigeria’s military capabilities through modern technology, improved intelligence sharing and better coordination among security agencies.
Buratai also called for sustained investment in military equipment and technological systems to support intelligence-led operations and enable security forces to respond more effectively to emerging threats.
He advocated greater adoption of advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and integrated command systems, to enhance surveillance, intelligence analysis and operational decision-making.
The former army chief highlighted the importance of technology-driven approaches in addressing Nigeria’s complex security challenges, noting that modern military operations increasingly require timely intelligence and coordinated responses.
The DECAN conference was themed “Beyond Kinetic Warfare: Harnessing Technology and Intelligence-Led Operations for Nigeria’s National Security.”
The event also featured the launch of the maiden edition of DECAN’s magazine, The Defence Correspondent, as part of efforts to advance conversations around defence reporting, military technology and national security.
The conference brought together stakeholders to discuss how innovation, intelligence-led strategies and modern operational systems could contribute to Nigeria’s security objectives.
The report was sourced from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).