Attahiru Tells House to Pass Arms Procurement Query to Predecessors

By Adedayo Akinwale

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday told the House of Representatives’ ad hoc committee probing the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition and related hardware by the military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies to invite his predecessors to shed more light on the procurement.

Attahiru stated this in Abuja when he appeared before the ad hoc committee investigating arms purchase in the last 10 years.

Though, the army chief did not mention any name, but his predecessors during the year under review included, Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika (rtd), who was the COAS from September 2010 to January 2014; Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah (rtd), who was the COAS from January 2014 to July 2015; and Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd) from July 2014 to February 2021.

Attahiru said he was earlier invited before the committee but was unable to make it due to exigencies of duties, adding that he was either in the North-east or South-east or South-south trying to ensure stability in Nigeria.

But Hon. Ejiofor Oghene, who was not pleased with the explanation given by the army chief asked him to apologise for not honouring the invitation extended to him earlier.

He stated that everybody in any position of authority works for Nigerians.

Oghene stated: “The explanation all along is understandable considering the security situation in the country and knowing that your position demands a lot of your time going around.

“So, one would have expected that today that you are able to honour this invitation, there would have been something that sounds like an apology for not being able to make it all along. What we have gotten is an explanation.”

The lawmaker added that the House symbolises Nigeria and, therefore, demanded that Attahiru apologised for not honouring the earlier invitation.

But the army chief stood his ground, saying his explanation was as good as an apology.

Attahiru said: “Mr. Chairman, just like the last speaker said that we are partners in progress and I believe that too. But you said I offered an explanation; it is as good as an apology. It only tells you the reasons I was not here and the reasons are cogent enough, even the blind man knows there are problems of internal security in Nigeria.

“So, I think it suffices to explain to this honourable House my inability to be here. The way you work for the Nigerian people is the same way I work for the Nigerian people. I command the Nigerian Army that is also peopled by Nigerians, representatives of everywhere you come from.”

However, Hon. Bede Uchenna, who re-echoed the position of another member of the committee, said after the submission of documents to the committee, the COAS should speak to the document before the committee members start asking questions on areas they needed clarification.

But the army chief explained that the executive summary of all the documents demanded by the committee was self-explanatory, while the issue of procurement, which was of interest to the committee had also been dealt with.

Attahiru added: “The summation before you speaks to the report before you, it is an executive summary, it is self-explanatory…because when you demanded for this report you stated specifically the areas from which you wanted this report.

“You may wish to recall that the COAS took over the mantle of leadership barely two months ago. The period from which you wanted this report, having been summarised in the executive summary explains whatever details you will require. Issue of procurement that you so demand to know was 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 and the other executive summary is so contained, it goes to speak about the entire report and it explains it.”

When the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Olaide Akinremi, observed that the army chief was in a combative mood, he asked reporters to excuse them for a closed-door meeting