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Corruption In Military Hampers Insurgency Fight -Transparency International

The International anti-corruption body, Transparency International says the military graft is weakening Nigeria’s efforts to effectively battle the terrorist group, Boko Haram. In a statement … Continue reading Corruption In Military Hampers Insurgency Fight -Transparency International


A file photo of Nigerian soldiers sitting on a military pick-up truck at a military base.
A file photo of Nigerian soldiers

Army Arrests Three Suspected Chadian Boko Haram TerroristsThe International anti-corruption body, Transparency International says the military graft is weakening Nigeria’s efforts to effectively battle the terrorist group, Boko Haram.

In a statement by the anti-corruption body (Transparency International) states that President Muhammadu Buhari’s promise to tackle corruption and terrorism is being hampered by the lack of transparency in military contract awards.

“Corrupt military officials have been able to benefit from the conflict through the creation of fake defence contracts, the proceeds of which are often laundered abroad in the UK, US and elsewhere.”

This it says makes it difficult for the military to acquire the required equipment and training to take on the militants who are armed with sophisticated weapons.

The group calls on the government to make its defence budget and procurement systems more transparent.

In 2016, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said around $15 billion had been stolen from the public purse under the previous government through fraudulent arms procurement deals.

According to Transparency International, this had left the military “without vital equipment, insufficiently trained, low in morale and under-resourced”.

“This has crippled the Nigerian military in fighting an aggressive ideologically inspired enemy such as Boko Haram,” the watchdog said, pointing to cases of soldiers taking on the militants without ammunition or fuel.

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