The Nigerian Army is yet to access the $1 billion approved by the Federal Government for procurement of arms to fight the raging Boko Haram insurgency in the North East, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, disclosed yesterday.

He told newsmen in Maiduguri that “you know the process of funding is another major issue. The bureaucracy and so on is (are) another issue. Approvals are given but before you really get the money out is another challenge.

“So, the people are talking or the media have been talking of $1 billion that has been approved but I tell you up till today, the fund that is supposed to come from that amount to the army in particular, is still in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).


The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) further quoted the COAS as saying: “The Ministry of Defence is yet to access the fund. When the ministry gets the fund, they will get the right equipment for us as proposed.’’

The presidency was, however, silent of the issue when contacted.

Specifically, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the money in April this year.

Army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, had also confirmed the non-release on a live programme.

But the presidency was not forthcoming when The Guardian sought to know what the authorities were doing to fast-track the release of the money in view of the prevailing insecurity in the country.

In a terse response via an email, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, simply said: “Your question has already been answered by Army spokesman.”

Buratai raised the alarm that fake news not only poses threat to national security but also makes the ongoing counter-terrorism fight more difficult.

He urged Nigerians to be patriotic.

The COAS regretted that after the recent attack on troops of 157 Task Force Battalion at Metele, Borno State, numerous casualty figures were bandied about, adding: “The figure so far has been 23, even if it is one, it is unfortunate. But to go out of the reality, to continue to spread false information is really unfortunate.’’

NAN reports that after the incident, various media reports at different times put the casualty figures at 44, 70, 100 and above until a few days ago when the army confirmed 23 dead and 31 others wounded.

He said the military was working to counter fake news being spread about it and its operations through its newly established Cyber Warfare Command.

However, two soldiers are feared to have been killed when suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly attacked the Buni/Gari community military base in Yobe State at the weekend.

The settlement is located on the southern fringe of Sambisa Forest, and 60 kilometres south of Damaturu.

Confirming the incident yesterday in the state capital, a military officer, who craved anonymity, stated: “We were caught unawares when the insurgents burst into our base along Damaturu-Biu road amid sporadic gunshots.

“By the time we could respond, the terrorists set our Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and base ablaze before being pursued with a fighter jet and a helicopter gunship.”

The officer said some of the homes in the locality were equally torched, as dozens fled into farmlands and the adjourning Buni/Yadi settlement.

The two communities have in the last six years witnessed their fair share of insurgency.

Efforts to get official statement yesterday from the Operation Lafiya Dole, Theatre Command, Maiduguri were futile.

https://www.akelicious.net/2018/12/army-yet-to-access-1b-equipment-fund.html

Waiting for the right time to release the money. It'll be released just before February, 2019.

Fake news spread mostly because of the lack of official statements.

stories

That's if una never use am do Christmas.

Really? Why

So you guys decided not to upgrade our armies and kept the money somewhere. Are they waiting for an interest. This people self. So heartless

I pity our gallant troops. Some wicked soul are making their lives vulnerable while they are cashing out big.

Na God go judge all of una

davillian:
That's if una never use am do Christmas.

bonechamberlain:
stories

Shut up

Don't worry we Nigerians know that the money is for APC and Buhari's reelection. It will be released at the right time.

General buratai. I thought dansuki stole all the money?

General without war.


Fear of nnamdi kanu is the beginning of wisdom.


Peace be unto biafra.



To them that doesn't listen to rbl you life depend on the lai mohammed.

Come that you can hear for yourself. No say I thought they said he said.

Peace be to every black man.

So we pray

Pajapaja:

Shut up

This regime is a disaster

Failure everywhere. Lives being wasted needlessly in the interim....

For a course this important why is the fund still delayed. Hope is not another story because these people like to ride on our intelligence putting the fighting soldiers n masses at risk.

See how they are battling with numbers of the affected soldiers no accuracy media says A army says B. Which one should we now believe...

Nigeria is one country that is undescribable Rightnow.

lol...

2019 elections fund... if you know, you know...

The money is probably invested by some legit fraudster into a 1% per month investment program to yield something for them

3 months in treasury bill would yield at least $25m (2.5%) guaranteed! No, it's for people's pocket but NA will get their $1bn tho

Then share the $25m to 25 people involved ($1m each). The smart ones dump 300m out of their $1m into Treasury bill for a year for a guaranteed 30m per year. They don't have to work again all their lives because that 30m is 2.5m monthly salary with their 300m fully untouched

Automatic retirement!

I guess that is the reason why you needed to sacrificed our soldiers in order to access the $1 billion because you don't know if you will still be the one in charge should in case baba lose election.

Lies

This is not fair to the Nigerian Army! How do we expect them to perform if we don't equip them? The presidency and CBN should do the needful.

People said it was meant for campaign but I thought it was a lie. Am waiting for Lai to come rubbish the statement

How can Army access Campaign money ?

What kind of incompetent government is this? Money that has been approved since April for soldiers facing live bullets at the war front is still in CBN till now? Is the CBN on the moon? What is so difficult in getting the money to the appropriate quarters? And soldier's lives are been wasted everyday while money meant for their arms and ammunition is at CBN since April. What rubbish!!!

Its now obvious the top echelon of the military are the demons affecting dem imagine a CDS who is a pastor in redeemed will allow boko haram kill his troops anyhow sit tight in abuja as if everything is okay. This revolution must come one day!

Pajapaja:

Shut up

No, you should be the one to shut up!! If your father was one of those unarmed soldiers being sacrificed to boko haram everyday will you be here typing nonsense? Stupid fool!!!

helinues:
Really? Why

So you guys decided not to upgrade our armies and kept the money somewhere. Are they waiting for an interest. This people self. So heartless

I pity our gallant troops. Some wicked soul are making their lives vulnerable while they are cashing out big.

Na God go judge all of una

Which interest?
They said the money has not been released to them at all.

GIVE IT TO THEM NOW!!

Money that they are saving for campaign, vote buying and other election affairs? Wicked and evil government

Nigerian Army is running from Boko Haram. They attacked Yola again and burnt the Armoured Personnel Carrier, they caught them unawares. What in hell were they doing, playing chess.

OH MY GOD SO SO SAD.

bkool7:



Which interest?
They said the money has not been released to them at all.

Money at the CBN doing what? When was the money released to CBN?

This news is coming because Nnamdi Kanu mentioned it in the last broadcast

This is how the jokers hope to defeat boko haram

Cc lzaa velocity25 Mafialeader

...now Femi Adeshina wouldn't open his dirty mouth to talk oooo.

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