Army: The $1bn approved to fight insurgency hasn’t been released

The Nigerian army says it is yet to get $1 billion approved to
fight insurgency and other security challenges in the country.

In 2017, the national economic council (NEC) approved the
request of the current administration to withdraw $1 billion from
the excess crude account (ECA) for the fight against
insurgency.

Fielding questions on Weekend File, a news programme on the
Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Sani Usman, spokesman of the
army, said the money is still being processed.

“People should understand also that this is a democratic system
in which procurement and of course funding of defense related
issues takes such a long time,” he said.

“Take for instance the issue of the $1 billion approved recently
by Mr. President, up till now the process is ongoing. The ministry
of defense is still pursuing the matter to the point that when it
is done, the armed forces will definitely get more equipment, more
arms and ammunition.”

In April, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said the
president’s approval wasn’t final as a draft bill would be sent to
the national assembly for consideration.

Usman, however, said at the moment, what the armed forces have
and what have been procured over the last two to three years is
being used judiciously.

Recently, Boko Haram insurgents attacked military formations in
the north-east, and many had blamed this on lack of sufficient
equipment, but Usman said “to the best of our abilities, all the
necessary equipment, ammunition and arms are being given.”

He expressed sadness over the recent killings of troops, and
said legal action would be taken on those fabricating figures
around the casualties.

“So sad and unfortunate that our troops came under enemy attack
on the 18th of last month and we suffered causality as we
mentioned. Sadly, we lost 23 gallant officers and men and of course
some of them sustained injuries,” he said.

“In respect of the effort, we are trying as much as possible to
make sure that first and foremost we give timely and accurate
information on all our activities and operations bearing national
security concern.

“And then secondly, we have gone a north further to identify
where those fake news and fabricated stories are coming from, and
definitely our legal department is taking step to make sure that
all those involved would be taken to court.

He added that Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, and the
hierarchy of the army have been going round to meet with the troops
in different locations.

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