TVC NEWS :Rauf Aregbesola the Osun State Governor, said on Friday at the 2016 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in honour of fallen heroes in Osogbo, that those involved in sharing the $2.1bn meant for arms procurement should be made to face the consequences of their offense without exception. .
Aregbesola commended President Muhammdu Buhari for unraveling the looting, but 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.
He 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.
The Governor added, “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.
“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.”
“I commend the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari in unraveling 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.
The Governor said, the deployment of soldiers for the election was unnecessary, reacting to the report of the committee set up to probe the roles of soldiers in the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections in 2014.
“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.”Aregbesola said.
“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.”