Army Commander Held for Alleged Rice Diversion, Selling Military Assets

A Nigerian Brigade Commander faces detention over accusations of rice diversion meant for soldiers, selling military vehicles, and other misconduct, triggering an internal investigation.

Brigadier General M.A. Sadiq, the commander of the 3 Brigade in Kano, has been held in a military police guardroom in Abuja following serious accusations related to diverting rice palliatives and selling military equipment.

Sources speaking to OBASANJONEWS on the condition of anonymity revealed that the Nigerian Defence Headquarters supplied rice to various brigades nationwide for distribution among soldiers as a form of palliative support.

According to reports, the Defence Headquarters provided rice to Nigerian soldiers on at least three occasions. However, it is alleged that General Sadiq distributed only 5 kg bags of rice to the soldiers once and sold off the remaining supplies.

Apart from the rice scandal, General Sadiq is also accused of taking military equipment, including a MIKANO heavy-duty generator from the Military Training Camp in Falgore, Kano, and selling it to scrap metal dealers.

In light of these allegations, General Sadiq has been succeeded by Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, who previously served as the registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

READ ALSO: Nigerian Army Detains Officer for Killing Teenage Protester
In response to these allegations, Brigadier General Sadiq has been held in a guardroom and is undergoing questioning by the special investigation branch of the military police in Abuja.

He was initially summoned to Abuja for questioning and promptly ordered to be detained in the military police guardroom. The allegations against him are increasing significantly.

Brigadier General A.M. Tukur, formerly the Registrar of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), has been appointed to lead the brigade.

“The source mentioned that comprehensive investigations into the matter are underway and he is likely to face charges at a court-martial.”

The Nigerian Army spokesman, Major-General Onyema Nwachukwu, did not respond to calls or text messages sent to his known phone number at the time this report was filed.