Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, acting on President Muhammadu Buhari’s order, has set up an investigative panel over the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now.
Headed by Air Vice Marshall J.O.N Ode , the panel has 12 other members, with Brigadier General Y.I Shalangwa serving as secretary.
The panel will identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.
“The establishment of the investigative committee is in keeping with President Buhari’s determination to stamp out corruption and irregularities in Nigeria’s public service”, said Femi Adesina, President Buhari’s media adviser.
“It 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 Northeast, 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.”
Nigeria had spent over N5trillion in the last four years on military equipment. Yet, the general impression was that our troops were poorly equipped, leading to mutiny by soldiers on the frontline of the Boko Haram war.
Here is the list of the probe panel:
-
AVM J.O.N. Ode (rtd.) – President
-
R/Adm J.A. Aikhomu (rtd.) – Member
-
R/Adm E. Ogbor (rtd.) – Member
- Brig Gen L. Adekagun (rtd.) – Member
-
Brig Gen M. Aminun-Kano (rtd.) – Member
- Brig Gen N. Rimtip (rtd.) – Member
- Cdre T.D. Ikoli – Member
- Air Cdre U. Mohammed (rtd.) – Member
- Air Cdre I. Shafi’i – Member
- Col A.A. Ariyibi – Member
- Gp Capt C.A. Oriaku (rtd.) – Member
- Mr. I. Magu (EFCC) – Member
- Brig Gen Y.I. Shalangwa – Secretary