National Security Adviser, Babagana Moguno has set up a committee to probe the procurement of hardware and ammunition in the Nigerian Armed Forces from 2007 to date.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the armed forces.
Adesina explained that the committee would 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.
The NSA has appointed AVM J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) as president of the investigative committee.
Members of the committee include Rear Admiral J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.), Rear Admiral E. Ogbor (rtd.), Brigadier-General L. Adekagun (rtd.), Brigadier-Genera;l M. Aminun-Kano (rtd.), Brigadier-General N. Rimtip (rtd.), Commodore T.D. Ikoli, Air Commodore U. Mohammed (rtd.), Air Commodore I. Shafi’i, Colonel A.A. Ariyibi, Group Captain C.A. Oriaku (rtd.) and Mr. I. Magu form the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), while Brigadier-General Y.I. Shalangwa will serve as secretary.
“It comes against the background of the myriad of challenges that the Nigerian Armed Forces have faced in the course of the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in the North-east, including the apparent deficit in military platforms with its attendant negative effects on troops’ morale,” the statement read.
