NSA Uncovers Ghost Workers, N4bn Security Fraud within Presidency

The Office of the National Security Adviser has uncovered a major fraud involving 29 ghost workers.

The ghost workers, have over the years received salaries and emoluments totalling N4 billion.

The NSA, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) uncovered the fraud after a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari.

“A security audit and verification exercise ordered by the President uncovered these can of worms in Aso Rock,” a source told The Eagle Online.

“The verification exercise showed that about 29 ghost security personnel have been on security pay roll in the Presidency over the years.

“The N4 billion was part of the N6.5 billion voted for security personnel and logistics in the Presidency. The NSA, who considered the N6.5 billion as outrageous, insisted that it be reduced.

“He subsequently brought the figure down to N2 billion. It was a move commended and approved by the President.

“A particular security agency delayed their auditing and verification for six months before releasing its personnel for the exercise few days ago.

“Interestingly, under the N6.5 fraudulent budget regime, junior security personnel in the Presidency received N18,000 per month, while senior personnel were entitled to N35,000 only, with no form of welfare packages.

“Currently, under the supervision of Monguno, with a realistic budget of N2 billion being effectively deployed to the general benefit and welfare of men and women saddled with the responsibility of the safety and security in the Presidency, the junior security personnel, who were paid N18,000 under the N6.5 billion budget regime, now enjoy a minimum of N80,000, while the senior personnel, who received N35,000 then, now collect a minimum of N150,000, including other benefits”, he disclosed.

The source added that under the new security budget regime, a middle level cadre had been introduced into the security architecture, with those in this category receiving a minimum of N100,000 monthly as allowance aside other benefits.

Under this arrangement, N80,000, N85,000 and N90,000 go to junior, middle and senior cadres respectively.

Monguno, it was gathered, has also introduced Departmental allowances to discourage any form of corruption and mismanagement of security fund.