The Osun State Governor, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, has said those involved in sharing the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement should be served adequate punishment commensurate with the crime committed against the nation.

The governor said this in Osogbo on Friday at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in honour of fallen heroes.

While commending President Muhammdu Buhari for unravelling the looting, he said that all those found guilty should be severely punished without exception.


 
Aregbesola lamented the situation where some of the soldiers caught and indicted have been pardoned and some losing their commission while others face uncertain future. He said it was pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice could be done.

The governor stated that the corruption perpetrated by the past administration caused massive destruction of lives and property, adding that lack of superior weapons by the military forced some soldiers to flee from the insurgents.

He said, “It is even a monumental scandal that funds meant for procuring arms for soldiers are shared among members of the Peoples Democratic Party without the least compunction.

“I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unravelling this heinous crime and I sincerely hope that all those involved will receive full retribution. Some of the soldiers caught in the maelstrom and indicted have been pardoned but some have lost their commission while others face uncertain future.

“Considering the circumstances of this unusual event, it is pertinent that a fresh inquiry be set up so that justice will be given to all those involved and our gallant soldiers will not be punished unjustly.”

Reacting to the report of the committee set up to probe the roles of soldiers in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014, he said that the deployment of soldiers for the election was unnecessary.

Aregbesola added, “The military high command also set up an inquiry into the roles soldiers played in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections of 2014. The committee has submitted its report and made recommendations.”

“As a victim of the reckless deployment of soldiers in those elections, I will say it was an avoidable deployment of soldiers for a civilian duty and for which there was no threat beyond the capability of the police and other security agencies.”