The Nigerian military has received a total of N33.2 billion for the procurement of critical operational equipment, according to official records on GovSpend.
The Ministry of Defence disbursed the funds in July 2024, making multiple tranches of payments through the Naira Transit Account.
The payments were classified as “Being purchase of critical and urgent operational equipment for the Nigerian military.”
However, details on the specific types of equipment procured and their intended use remain undisclosed.
A breakdown of the disbursement showed that on July 26, 2024, the Ministry of Defence Headquarters transferred N9 billion, followed by additional payments of N9 billion, N5 billion, another N9 billion, and N1.216 billion.
Beyond the military, the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) also procured firearms and ammunition.
The NIS purchased Scorpion Evo 19 & 9 rifles, Tavor rifles, and General-Purpose Machine Guns (7.62x51mm) for its Women Armed Squad and Rapid Response Squad.
On February 14, 2024, the NIS paid N87.95 million to Keygate Ltd for Scorpion Evo rifles and N86.3 million to Belrock Ltd for Tavor rifles.
Additional purchases included a N27.6 million payment to BNTI Arm Limited for GPMG ammunition on April 6, 2024, and a N353.7 million installment to Keygate Ltd on April 23, 2024, for a larger arms procurement project.
Similarly, the NSCDC made high-value procurements. On September 25, 2024, the agency paid N90.1 million to Green Whispers Global Ltd for 872 AK-47 close-contact military bayonets (jack knives) for Zone ‘F.’
These acquisitions underline the government’s commitment to strengthening security forces to tackle ongoing security challenges.
