. DG distances self from organisation after Senate passes NATCOM Bill.
Following a recent order by the Federal Government through the National Security Council banning the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation-Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons, the organisation has formally disbanded and ended its operations.
The National Security Council, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, had also declared NATFORCE operations across the country illegal.
NATFORCE Director-General, Dr. Baba Muhammed has also distanced himself from the organisation following the passage of the Bill to establish the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.
Baba who disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja, stated that with the Senate’s passage of the NATCOM Bill,
NATFORCE has ceased to exist.
He stated, “I championed the need for NATFORCE to transit to a Commission, NATCOM in line with the provision that stipulates that the functions of the body shall be in line with Article 24 of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Convention on the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons to which Nigeria is signatory and which came into force in 2009.
“I distanced myself from NATFORCE and all of its operations after Senate passage of the NATCOM bill which has now automatically changed the name NATFORCE to NATCOM.”
He said as a law-abiding citizen, he must obey the order of the Federal Government banning NATFORCE, declaring the organisation as illegal henceforth.
Muhammed said the law should take its course on anyone violating the FG’s order and ensure they are appropriately punished.
Muhammadu expressed appreciation to President Buhari; Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila; National Security Adviser, Major General Babagana Monguno (rtd) and other critical stakeholders for providing an enabling environment for the successes being recorded so far in the collective efforts towards the establishment of NATCOM.