•‘Presidency unaware of petition yet’
The Army yesterday rose in defence of its Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai over his acquisition of two properties in Dubai.
The army said there was nothing illegal or secret about the properties as Buratai listed them in his Assets Declaration Form.
Reacting to a media report on the issue, the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Usman, said that contrary to the report, Buratai never served as Army’s Director of Procurement and does not have any account in Skye Bank.
It was learnt last night that the Presidency was not yet aware of the petition against Buratai and his family.
Usman, in a statement, dismissed the brains behind the petition that triggered the media report – “Concerned Soldiers and Officers from the North East” as unscrupulous elements.
He said: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to another round of campaign of calumny against the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai and his family by some unscrupulous elements as contained in an online medium story titled “Revealed: Buhari’s Chief Of Army Staff, General Buratai, wives own Dubai property”, alleging that Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of a Dubai property that was paid for in one transaction posted on the website, this evening.
“It is important to know that these baseless allegations were not new. In March, some groups of individuals under the aegis of “Concerned Citizens”, tried same smear campaign.To their disappointment, it could not fly, because it is not true.
“Therefore, the latest round of smear campaign by the online medium is one of the series of campaigns of calumny by these faceless individuals to malign the Chief of Army Staff and the Nigerian Army.
“The online news medium this evening (yesterday) uploaded another campaign of calumny allegedly based on a petition by obviously fake and non-existent group it described as “Concerned Soldiers and Officers from the North East”.
“The allegations contained in the write up are baseless and not correct. It is a fact that the Buratai family has two properties in Dubai that were paid in instalments through personal savings three years ago.
“This, along with other personal assets, has consistently been declared by General Buratai in his Assets Declaration Form as Commander Multinational Joint Task Force Commander and as Chief of Army Staff.
“It is pertinent to state that the Chief of Army Staff does not have any account with Skye Bank as alleged, let alone making deposits in the imaginary bank account to the tune of the amount stated in the write up.
“Similarly, he has not been involved in any form of shady or dishonest transaction, not to talk of ‘contract scam’.
“In addition, General Buratai was never near either Defence Headquarters or Army Headquarters in 2013. It is pertinent to also note that he was never a Director of Procurement in Army Headquarters as alleged.
“As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army never had a Directorate of Procurement till when he established one last year when he became Chief of Army Staff.
“In a bid to rubbish the hard- earned reputation and good name of the Chief of Army Staff, these blackmailers will stop at nothing hence all these kinds of mudslinging.
“It is really worrisome that some people could condescend so low to fabricate baseless allegation against the Chief of Army Staff for reasons that could best be described as mischievous.
“It is equally worrisome that the medium could lend space for this obvious mischief. We really do not believe that it is because the price is right.”
A reliable source in government, who spoke with our correspondent, said: “The presidency is not aware of any petition against the Chief of Army Staff. So far, it remains an issue within the military, we cannot dabble in it.”
The Theatre Commander of Operation LAFIYA DOLE Major-General Leo Irabor said the petition did not emanate from men in his command.
Irabor said Buratai, since his assumption of office, “has taken the affairs of Op LAFIYA DOLE to a level that showed unparalleled commitment to the operational effectiveness and good welfare of troops.
“For example, between January till now, the COAS has provided various quantities of ammunition types, vehicles and other equipment in the Theatre.
“He has equally provided uniforms and boots for all the troops in Op LAFIYA DOLE.
“The payment of allowances and other requirements has been regular and in most cases, up-front.
“The COAS’ regular visits to the frontline are well known to all. The aggregate impact of the efforts is the huge operational successes being recorded in the Theatre. The morale of troops has equally risen to a level that was never witnessed in the past.
“The report further imputed that the motorcycles inducted into Op LAFIYA DOLE and employed by the Motorcycle Battalion, were used and refurbished. What a sad tale of lies!
“When a report of that nature was received earlier, the COAS instituted a high-powered investigation by Military Police.
“The findings of the investigation team revealed that the motorcycles were brand new and were delivered in crates as knocked-down-parts.
“The technicians who fixed some of them failed to tighten some knots firmly which was later rectified. Ever since, the motorcycles have proven useful in various operations.
“The Motorcycle Battalion comprises trained counter-terrorist personnel, skilled in the use of motorcycles to enhance the capability of own forces to patrol, block routes, picket and pursue any remnants of the BHTs who usually use motorcycles in terrains where four-wheel vehicles cannot manouver.
“So, this has proved successful in the last major Operation CRACK DOWN which has practically brought to an end the activities of the BHTs particularly along Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu and Damaturu-BuniYadiBiu roads, which were opened to the public earlier in the year.
“I consider this publication as part of the concerted, organized terrorist strategy to distract our winning spirit in the war against BHT.”
