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Despite strong opposition, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally approved the deduction of $1billion, about N360 billion, from the Excess Crude Account (ECA) for the procurement of arms to fight insecurity across the country.
The National Economic Council, ( NEC) made up of Governors of the 36 states of the country had on December 14, 2017, approved the deduction of the fund from the account for arms procurement, following request from the Presidency.
The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan Ali disclosed this to State House Correspondents after national security meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The initial approval of the $1b by the NEC had generated controversy as Governors of Ekiti and Rivers states had opposed the modalities for the approval describing it as “illegal.”
The House of Representatives had also kicked against the deduction of the fund from the ECA saying that it will amount to a breach of section 16 (2) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 1 of the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account, etc) Act, Cap.A15, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2014.
But the Minister, while briefing newsmen at the State House on Wednesday, said ” What I can add, after all that I have said, is to inform you that of recent, our leader, President Muhammadu Buhari gave approval for the purchase of more equipment for the military, worth $1 billion.”
He had earlier in his speech, described the meeting as “normal meeting of security agencies in the country” adding that “as usual, we discussed the current activities that affected most of the states in the federation like Taraba, Zamfara and other states.”
The Minister had earlier harped on recent deployments of military personnel to some parts of the country, including Zamfara, saying that they will help to tackle insecurity.
Speaking on what to expect after the deployment, Ali said. “Well, as usual we have operationalised a Division in Sokoto, there will be a Brigade in Katsina and another Brigade in Zamfara that will take care of security situation in that area.”
On how that will resolve the issue, the minister said “Of course, the strength of security personnel as increased including the Air Force additional quick response group, they have added enough manpower in that area.”
The Minister also assured on the efforts to get Leah Sharibu’s released from the Boko Haram’s enclave.
According to him “Well, we are making all available efforts to see that the girl is returned safely”.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja.
