Buratai Responsible For Arms Purchase, Attahiru Tells Reps

Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen has asked Nigerians to hold former Chief of Army Staff responsible for the purchase of arms and ammunition for the Nigerian military.

Appearing before the House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating the matter in Abuja on Monday, the army chief distanced himself from any wrongdoing in the procurement of arms and ammunition running into billions of naira from 2011 till date.

Attahiru told the lawmakers to ask “specific individuals” involved in the deals to account for the funds budgeted for procurement of weapons over the years.

He said: “You may wish to recall that I took over the mantle of leadership barely two months ago. The period from which you wanted this report, having been summarized in the executive summary, explains whatever details you will require. Issues of procurement that you so demand to know were done by specific individuals.

“I will rather you call these individuals to come and explain to you very specific issues. The general issue has been contained in the report and the summary. It goes to speak about the entire report and it explains it.”

The army chief submitted relevant documents to the lawmakers and also declined to throw light on the documents he tendered when asked by two members of the panel, Bede Eke and Samson Okwu, in line with legislative practice.

The committee, thereafter, went into a closed session after excusing journalists at 5.40 pm.