Babagana Monguno, the National Security Adviser, NSA has said funds given to former service chiefs for arms purchase can not be traced.
President Muhammadu Buhari had on January 26, removed the service chiefs in persons after the security situation in the country overwhelmed them.
Monguno who stated this in an interview with the BBC Hausa on Friday morning said neither the money approved by Mr Buhari for arms purchase nor arms was met on the ground when the new service chiefs assumed office, Daily Nigerian reports.
Asked why the government is foot-dragging on the fight against banditry, Mr Monguno said the president had done his best by approving huge amount of money for arms purchase but the equipment was not forthcoming.
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“Now that he (President Buhari) has brought new people (service chiefs), hopefully, they will devise some ways… I’m not saying the former service chiefs diverted the money, but the money is missing. We don’t know how, and nobody knows for now,” he said.
Asked whether the matter is investigated to trace the funds or the military hardware, the NSA said the president would investigate the matter.
“The President will surely probe this matter. As we speak, the Nigerian Governors’ Forum too is also wondering where all the money went. I can assure you the president takes issues of this nature seriously.
“The fact is that preliminary investigation showed the funds are missing and the equipment is nowhere to be found.
“When the new service chiefs assumed office, they also said they did see anything on ground,” said the NSA.
