The National Security Adviser to the President, Maj.-Gen Babagana Monguno (retd.), on Friday disclosed that some funds meant for the purchase of arms to strengthen the country’s anti-terror war has gone missing under the leadership of former service chiefs.

Recall that the former service chiefs were Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin (retd.); Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.); Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas (retd.); and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retd.).

The NSA stated this in an interview with BBC Hausa on Friday.

“No one knows what happened to the money but by God’s grace, the president will investigate to find out whether the money was spent and where the arms went.”

He also emphasised that the new service chiefs have not seen any of the arms that the funds were meant to be used to procure.

Buhari appointed Buratai, Olonisakin, Ibas and Abubakar in July 2015 and replaced them in January 2021 following a persistent clamour from Nigerians to inject fresh blood into the country’s anti-terror war, especially against Boko Haram in Nigeria’s North-East region.

The new service chiefs are Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff; Vice Admiral A.Z Gambo; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amoo.

The PUNCH had earlier reported that the NSA said on Thursday at a State House Briefing in Aso Villa, Abuja, that the President has released a lot of funds for the military to purchase firepower and win the insurgency fight.

Monguno had also said that the Buhari-regime was not interested in dialogue with terrorists, bandits and other criminals as negotiation paints the government as weak and incapable.

The NSA, therefore, vowed that the military, headed by the new chiefs has what it takes to crush the enemies of the Nigerian state without the help of mercenaries.