The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has ordered the immediate dismantlement of all unlawful security groups operating across the country to extort, harass, and intimidate Nigerians.
The decision was issued by ONSA’s spokesperson, Zakari Usman, on Sunday in Abuja.
It also warned individuals, organizations, and foreign partners about the actions of a security organization known as “NATFORCE.”
According to the report, the group was founded unlawfully as a task force to battle the illicit importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition, and light weapons into the country.
According to ONSA, the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) is the country’s national coordination mechanism for controlling and monitoring the spread of small arms and light weapons.
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The development of illegal security outfits in the country has concerned ONSA, according to the statement.
“These illegal outfits have masqueraded as part of Nigeria’s security architecture, extorting, harassing, and intimidating Nigerians.”
“NATFORCE is one such group that seeks to combat illegal importation of arms, ammunition, light weapons, chemical weapons, and pipeline vandalism, and has been involved in the mounting of illegal roadblocks, illegal searches, seizures, and recruitment.”
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“To avoid doubt, the general public and all stakeholders should be aware that NATFORCE is an illegal organization with no 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,” the statement stated.
Following the establishment of the NCCSALW on May 3, ONSA stated that Nigeria has begun the process of fully implementing Article 24 of the ECOWAS Convention on small arms and light weapons.
It invited national and international stakeholders to collaborate closely with the center in order to strengthen Government-Civil Society activities.
