Following the exposure of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai’s properties in Dubai, UAE, there have been many reactions from the public.
The Nigerian Army in a swift response however cleared the air on the matter as it claimed the properties were acquired in a transparent and honest deal.
Reacting to the issue, the Minister of Defence, Brig-Gen. Muhammad Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), has thrown his support behind the embattled COAS as contained in a statement signed by his Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO), Brig-Gen. Mohammed Sani Ahmed.
The statement which was released on Monday said the COAS had earlier declared the ownership of the Dubai properties on more occasion than one to the Nigerian Army and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Dan-Ali said: “It is on record that Lt-Gen. Buratai has declared his assets as Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force and as Chief of Army Staff to the Code of Conduct Bureau. These facts are verifiable with the Bureau”.
He further added: “The Ministry of Defence has observed with dismay the online media report of involvement of the Chief of Army Staff and his family over ownership of property in Dubai.
“It is noteworthy that there has been series of concerted efforts in the past by the same medium and its cohorts to tarnish the image of the person of Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai for the reason best known to them, which failed to achieve their desired ulterior motives.
“The Ministry of Defence views this as an attempt by some unpatriotic and disgruntled elements to distract the leadership of the Nigerian Armed Forces from the successes of the war against terror particularly in the North East”.
Dismissing the move as one which was set by “disgruntled and unpatriotic elements” in a bid to smear the COAS, Lt-Gen. Buratai’s image, the minister thanked the media and also advised a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of duties.
“While appreciating the role of the media in nation-building, it wishes to equally advise the media to exhibit a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties, especially when it comes to security and defence related matters”.