A Nigerian Army General has been detained over the alleged diversion of palliative rice meant for soldiers and the sale of military equipment to scrap yards.
The suspect, Brig.-Gen. M.A. Sadiq, who was Commander 3 Brigade, Kano, was said to have been invited to Abuja by the military police where he was currently being detained.
Military activist and whistleblower, @MiliAct posted the information on X, alleging that Sadiq sold off generator sets and operational vehicles to scrap yards.
He wrote: “The commander of 3 Brigade Kano, Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, has been detained in a military police guardroom in Abuja over alleged diversion of rice palliatives, selling of military equipment, including generator sets and operational vehicles, to scrap yards.
“At the end, he will be retired voluntarily without any punishment.”
The Nation gathered that the rice, which was from the federal government’s palliatives to cushion the effect of the economic hardship, was for distribution to soldiers.
The brigade, like others across the country, received the palliative rice, said to be in 25kg bags but the Commander refused to distribute them to his soldiers.
It was also gathered that the embattled general stole many official equipment belonging to the military, including a MIKANO heavy-duty generator, at Military Training Camp, Falgore, Kano, and sold them to metal scrap dealers.
At the moment, a new Commander has been posted to head the Brigade while Sadiq, sources said, would face a special probe panel.
The Nation reports that Sadiq is not the first General to have been allegedly involved in criminal diversion and sale of rice.
Some months ago, there were grumblings in the Western command of the Nigerian Navy over allegations that a Rear Admiral was diverting trailers of seized smuggled rice.
The officer, it was gathered, was eventually redeployed after his alleged scandalous activities reached the naval headquarters.
It was gathered that the senior officer mandated all operational units and bases under the command to ensure that every rice seized was moved to Apapa where he eventually sold them in trailers to those trading in the staple.
Contacted for reaction, spokesman for the Army, Maj.-Gen. Nwachukwu Onyema said Sadiq was undergoing a military investigation into administrative discrepancies while he was Commander 3 Brigade.
He confirmed that the senior officer had been relieved of his command to ensure a thorough investigation.
“The Nigerian Army being a self-regulatory institution founded on the bedrock of discipline, justice, and accountability, has zero tolerance for indiscipline and will therefore not condone any form of misconduct or actions and inactions that could undermine the threshold of its values and principles.
“The Nigerian Army assures both our internal and external publics that this matter will be thoroughly investigated, and appropriate administrative action will be taken.
“Our commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency remains unwavering. We guarantee that the process will be fair, impartial, and in line with our established procedures,” he said.
-The Nation