By Sumaila Ogbaje, NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has reaffirmed the authority of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), as the only legally recognised body to perform such responsibility in Nigeria.
This is contained in a statement by the Head, Strategic Communication at ONSA, Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Mijinyawa said that ONSA had in 2021 directed the dismantling of illegal security outfits involved in extorting and harassing Nigerians and specifically cautioned the public about an illegal group known as NATFORCE.
He said that law enforcement agencies had in the past three years, acted against individuals operating the illegal outfits, adding that some of those individuals had been arrested and were currently being prosecuted.
According to him, in spite of these efforts, some members of the public, including key stakeholders in both the public and private sectors, have fallen victim to the fraudulent activities of NATFORCE, which has recently rebranded as NATCOM.
“We remind the public that NATFORCE and NATCOM are not part of Nigeria’s security architecture and have no affiliation with any official security agency.
“These outfits are not backed by federal law, lack the authority to recruit, and are not approved to operate as security organisations.
“To clarify, pursuant to Section 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons, Nigeria established the which has been under the Office of the National Security Adviser since May 3, 2021.
“The NCCSALW is the National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Nigeria, coordinating with all relevant stakeholders to implement the UN and ECOWAS Plans of Action on the control of small arms and light weapons.
“The current National Coordinator of the NCCSALW is a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Johnson Kokumo, appointed by President Bola Tinubu on March 26,” he said.
ONSA spokesman advised State Governments, international organisations, private sector, and all stakeholders to remain vigilant about the activities of illegal security outfits operating under any name or form.
He called for close collaboration with the NCCSALW to address concerns around the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
According to him, law enforcement agencies have been instructed to continue arresting and prosecuting individuals and groups who fraudulently present themselves to the public as security forces,” he said. (NAN)