Yesterday, The Conference of Nigerian Civil Rights Activists, demanded the immediate removal of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, over his ownership of two properties in Dubai, the commercial nerve centre of the United Arab Emirates.
The CNCRA stated this in a statement by its Convener, Mr. Ifeanyi Odili, in Abuja.
It explained that the continued retention of Buratai in his position by President Muhammadu Buhari would rubbish the current anti-corruption crusade of the incumbent administration.
The group said Buhari should relieve the COAS of his position “as he is a square peg in a round hole.”
The statement stated,
“The recent revelation of the procurement of properties in Dubai by the COAS as published by SaharaReporter on June 25, 2016, which was subsequently denied by the Army spokesman, is a dent on the integrity of the Buhari’s administration.
“The Buhari administration has been showcasing anti-graft posture and the massacre of hundreds of Nigerians in Zaria is in contrast to democratic ethos and norms.
“According to SaharaReporters, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and his two wives are joint owners of Dubai properties worth of $1.5m that was paid for in one transaction.
“The report indicated that the money for the purchase of the property might have come from a vehicle contract scam while Mr. Buratai was the Director of Procurement at the Army HQ.
“The allegation that General Buratai might have pilfered funds meant for the purchase of military vehicles has sparked outrage among soldiers and officers, especially those from the North-East of the country.”
The group asked Buhari to end indiscipline in the military through a process of ending impunity by its officers and men.
It said, “Discipline and preparedness of military officers and men should be a topmost priority in the system. It must be strictly adhered to and the primary purpose of the Nigerian military, which is to defend the nation from external aggression.
“The realisation of this function primarily entails the preservation of the territory, people, culture and the national security as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution of 1999.
“A democratic society requires a citizen army and the deviants; sadists and thugs within the armed forces should be identified, penalised and flushed out.”
The group asked the military authorities to promptly investigate complaints of rights violations instead of unnecessary denials in the face of facts.
It said, “It is therefore sad to note that Buratai, who is conversant with the above facts, negates the spirit of military profession and embarked on killing of harmless civilians in Zaria between December 12 and 14, 2015.
“Drawing from the above, the CNCRA called on the Federal Government to, as a matter of urgency, relieve Buratai of his position and commence full scale investigation into the killings as mentioned above.
“It is only if the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission looks into corruption allegation levelled against him (Buratai) that the Buhari administration would want to have us believe in his change mantra and war against corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria.”
Punch
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