President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj Gen Babagana Monguno (rtd.), to convene an investigative committee on the procurement of hardware and munitions in the Armed Forces from 2007 till now.

The President’s Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) Femi Adesina disclosed this in a statement issued this afternoon in Abuja. “The investigative committee’s mandate is to identify irregularities and make recommendations for streamlining the procurement process in the Armed Forces,” Adesina said.

He disclosed that the NSA has accordingly constituted a 13-man 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. 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

“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,” Adesina said, adding:

“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.”

•Photo shows NSA, Babagana Monguno.