Centre for weapons control disowns NATFORCE

By SUMAILA OGBAJE
The Coordinator, National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko, has dissociated the Centre from an organisation called National Taskforce (NATFORCE).
Dikko, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday was reacting to a recent newspaper publication linking NCCSALW to NATFORCE.
He said the Centre had not engaged any organisation, individual or recruitment agents to recruit on its behalf as purportedly claimed by NATFORCE.
According to him, the attempt by NATFORCE to portray itself as having any connection with NCCSALW was absolutely `inept, inappropriate and deeply abhorred`.
Dikko said the alleged NATFORCE’s relationship with NCCSALW circulating on social media and some national dailies was malicious and intended to portray its affiliation with the NCCSALW `to justify its deceitful recruitment drive`.
He urged all well-meaning Nigerians to stand resolute in condemnation of any form of criminality especially the needless proliferation of illicit weapons.
“NCCSALW urges all to eschew primordial sentiments and allow the effort of the government to be institutionalised and entrenched.
“We need a weapons-free society for development and sociopolitical well-being of citizens to thrive.
“NATFORCE or any other organisation, group or groups purportedly in the vanguard of promoting illicit weapons-free society, must do so consistent with the initiative of government aimed at curbing insecurity.
“They should not be seen to take advantage of desperate times to hoodwink able-bodied Nigerians, especially the youth in any deceitful employment drive,” he said.
He advised the public to be wary of some misguided elements whose intention is to misinform the citizens for reasons best known to them.
NCCSALW was established by President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2021 as the national focal point in the implementation of plan of action on the control of small and light weapons in Nigeria.
The centre is domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Abuja. (NAN)

•NCCSALW Coordinator, Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko (Rtd)