Kyari, described as “The Red Cap”, and some middlemen ostensibly with links to the immediate past National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, have completely hijacked arms procurement to fight insurgency in the North east and crime in the Niger delta.
An example is a contract awarded to a Dutch firm Damen Shipyard Goriche for the purchase of two fast patrol boats for the Nigerian Navy at a little above $23 million. Both boats aren’t fitted with guns.
Curiously, when papers for the purchase reached Kyari’s, table, the Chief of Staff jerked the, figure to $60 million. The hijack of the procurement process of arms by the Chief of Staff has reportedly unsettled officials of the Ministry of Defence who feel that it falls within the or scheduled of duty.
Pointblanknews.com checks revealed that even at $10 million per unit, the Navy boats were still overpriced, as the market price for the same model indicated that each should not have cost more than $8 million.
In another contract, the Nigerian government mandated Serbia-based Jugo Import SDPR JP, to supply two sizes of ammunition: 5000 122mm HE (Howitzer) for $3,259.950.00, and another 5000 units of 105mm caliber ammunition for $3, 734.950. Both supplies totaled $6.994.990.
In yet another contract Paramount Nautic Africa was asked to procure 15 units of 9.5 Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBS) at $3,870.000, and Messrs. Leonardo Helicopters was contracted to supply AW 139 Helicopter for Nigerian Navy at $22 million.
On its,part, Excalibur, a Czech company bagged a contract of $99,538,457 for the supply of 81mm mortar bombs, Mine Resistant vehicles (MRAP), RPG740mm among others.
All the contracts papers were all signed on September 17, 2018.
A source familiar with the transaction told Pointblanknews.com that “Kyari and former NSA Dasuki’s men still run our arms and ammunitions business.
One of such fronts is Mustapha Yakubu,owner of Dasuki Adun Nig Ltd & Sawki Nig Ltd. He also fronts Excalibur). They are the promoters of almost all the companies with a former minister.
A certain front simply known by his first name Ahmed represents Norinco, Dmmi Strategies Uk & Damen.
Offered an official, “Norinco is a Chinese company promoted by Kyari and Defence ministry officials”.
It was also gathered that the price of Leonardo Helicopters were jerked up go accommodate several interests in the Presidency.
“Excalibur is a private Czech company. They don’t do government to government contracts. They quoted T90 tanks which they don’t have. But they now want to supply T72 tanks at the T90 prices with very huge difference in price. They are paying dollars to Kyari and ministry stakeholders, they are supplying their items from Ukraine, Russia and South Africa”, the source said.
On Kintex, a Bulgarian concern, the source said “they are being fronted by two Israelis- Aron & Yallon. They have over-loaded their invoice too. Damen quoted $22m for two boats without arms not more than $13-15million.”
“Mark Gaetje {Deman Shipyard} represented by DMMI Strategies, UK, Paramount Nautic Africa is a South Africa concern whose prices are bloated. Jugo Import International is a Serbian arms company with price equally rigged with over 85% for Nigerian stakeholders” the source added.
By Pointblanknews.com calculations, President Buhari’s Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari and his syndicate in the Ministry of Defence and fronts who acted as representatives of the companied made over $60 million from single tranche of Defence contract.
