Following the death of the pioneer Director General, National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), Chief Emmanuel Osita Okereke, the taskforce, Saturday, elected Dr. Baba Muhammed as its new DG.
The election, which was conducted by NATFORCE National Working Committee (NWC) at an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC), in Abuja, also saw Barr Lora Okereke being returned, unopposed, as the national deputy director general of the taskforce.
Dr. Muhammed, who was national deputy director before the election, polled 25 votes, to beat his only rival, Evangelist Matilda Farinde, who polled three votes.
While announcing the result the returning officer for the election, Joseph Achimi, said the election was conducted by NWC members in line with the provisions of the constitution of the taskforce.
He noted that NATFORCE was an organised establishment comprised of prominent people and there was need to have a leader to pilot the affairs of the taskforce following the death of the DG in December 2020.
Achimi said that following the election of the new DG all property belonging to the late DG should be returned to his family, while property belonging to the taskforce should be returned to the newly elected executive.
The DG and national deputy DG were sworn in immediately according to provisions of the constitution of the taskforce.
The NEC also resolved to dissolve the DG Special Squad and warned against people parading themselves as personnel of the squad.
In his acceptance speech, the newly elected DG appreciated members of the NEC for the confidence reposed in him and vowed to run an all-inclusive administration and enforce discipline.
He said there was need for synergy between NATFORCE and other security agencies in a bid to combat the security challenges facing the country.
Muhammed assured that he would bring his wealth of experience to fortify NATFORCE through creation of employment, generation of income and crime fighting with more focus on intelligence gathering, among others.
“Today marks yet another turning point for this great organisation. I am happy I have men of great experience and I will reap from their wealth of experience.
He said, “There is no infallibility in life. I must state that Chief Okereke did his best. There are areas we will learn from him. For the good things he did we will continue to learn from him. For areas he did wrong we will try to correct.
“For members who have not been loyal and committed they need to change, we will run an inclusive administration. We will have a formidable board and management committee.
“We will charge ourselves with responsibilities. We will have short, medium and long term plans. We will consider these plans and we will agree and we continue implement them. Synergy will be key; however, there will be a great departure from the way things were being done before.
“There must be discipline. We will come out with a formidable organogram that will be respected. Members can always call attention of the leadership when they are going astray.”
Meanwhile, the family of the late DG, who was Presidential Candidate and National Chairman, ALP, has formerly announced the death of their father and husband.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, son of the deceased Barr Obinna Okereke, who spoke on behalf of the family, said burial arrangements would be announced soon.