The National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons (NATFORCE) has said the outfit is still existing awaiting the National Assembly’s deliberation on a Bill that will finally allow it to become a legal security agency in the country.
This reaction came against the reported declaration that the office of the National Security Adviser has declared it illegal and thus slated for disbandment
A Director with the Cross River Command of the the outfit, Mr. Felix Effiong Nyong, who volunteered reaction, said, “NATFORCE is intact and not disbanded,” saying, the purported alleged disbandment was read in the media like any other person.
According to him, no circular on the subject matter has been received by the NATFORCE either from the office of the NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), or from any quarter, stating that, the Bill towards making the outfit a recognised security agency in Nigeria in accordance with the law of the land has scaled a second reading in the National Assembly.
It could be recalled also that, the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has, in April 2013, declared NATFORCE a legal security outfit following a civil case brought before the Hon Justice Hon. Justice E.S. Chukwu by the outfit against the Minister of Finance and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
A declaration of disbandment of some illegal security organizations in the country was allegedly issued by the office of the NSA and signed by the Head, Strategic Communication, ZM Usman, directing immediate dismantling of all illegal security outfits!
And when no response could be obtained from the NSA’s office, our correspondent sought for reaction from the organization at the centre of the matter where a Director, Mr Nyong, made the brief clarification.