Insecurity: NSA Directs Dismantling Of Illegal Security Outfits Nationwide

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Sunday
ordered the immediate dismantling of all illegal security outfits
nationwide and warned against the use of these outfits to extort,
harass and intimidate Nigerians.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in
Abuja, by Mallam Z M Usman, Head, Strategic Communication, Office
of The National Security Adviser.

According to the statement, “In particular, the office cautions
individuals, organizations and foreign partners on the activities
of NATFORCE which was illegally formed as a task force to combat
illegal importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and
light weapons into Nigeria.”

It declared that the National Centre for the Control of Small
Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) domiciled in the Office of the
National Security Adviser was the national co-ordination mechanism
for the control and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms
and light weapons in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “the office of the National Security
Adviser has observed with concern the proliferation of illegal
security outfits in the country

“These illegal outfits have been masquerading and acting as part
of the Nigerian security architecture while extorting, harassing
and intimidating Nigerians.

“One of such groups is NATFORCE which seeks to combat illegal
importation of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons
and Pipeline Vandalism and has been involved in mounting of illegal
roadblocks, conducting illegal searches, seizures and
recruitment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the general public and all
stakeholders are to note that NATFORCE is an illegal outfit without
any mandate or authority to carry out these functions.

“This trend is unacceptable and the promoters of NATFORCE are
warned to dismantle their structures and operations
immediately.

“Following the setting up of the National Centre for the Control
of Small Arms and Light Weapons on 3 May 2021, Nigeria has
initiated the process for the full implementation of Article 24 of
the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons.

“In this regard, national and international stakeholders are
encouraged and expected to work closely with the Centre to
strengthen Government-Civil Society initiatives.”

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), on Sunday
ordered the immediate dismantling of all illegal security outfits
nationwide and warned against the use of these outfits to extort,
harass and intimidate Nigerians.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in
Abuja, by Mallam Z M Usman, Head, Strategic Communication, Office
of The National Security Adviser.

According to the statement, “In particular, the office cautions
individuals, organizations and foreign partners on the activities
of NATFORCE which was illegally formed as a task force to combat
illegal importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and
light weapons into Nigeria.”

It declared that the National Centre for the Control of Small
Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) domiciled in the Office of the
National Security Adviser was the national co-ordination mechanism
for the control and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms
and light weapons in Nigeria.

According to the statement, “the office of the National Security
Adviser has observed with concern the proliferation of illegal
security outfits in the country

“These illegal outfits have been masquerading and acting as part
of the Nigerian security architecture while extorting, harassing
and intimidating Nigerians.

“One of such groups is NATFORCE which seeks to combat illegal
importation of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons
and Pipeline Vandalism and has been involved in mounting of illegal
roadblocks, conducting illegal searches, seizures and
recruitment.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the general public and all
stakeholders are to note that NATFORCE is an illegal outfit without
any mandate or authority to carry out these functions.

“This trend is unacceptable and the promoters of NATFORCE are
warned to dismantle their structures and operations
immediately.

“Following the setting up of the National Centre for the Control
of Small Arms and Light Weapons on 3 May 2021, Nigeria has
initiated the process for the full implementation of Article 24 of
the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons.

“In this regard, national and international stakeholders are
encouraged and expected to work closely with the Centre to
strengthen Government-Civil Society initiatives.”