Buhari raises 13-member panel to probe weapon procurement since 2007

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Security Adviser to convene an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now, a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, has said.

According to the statement, the investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces.

Accordingly, the National Security Adviser has constituted the Investigative Committee as follows:
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. Aminu-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. Ibrahim Magu (EFCC) – Member
Brig Gen Y.I. Shalangwa – Secretary

The presidential statement added, “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.

“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.”