The West African Action Network on Small Arms – Nigeria (WAANSA-NIGERIA) has called on the President of the federation, Bola Ahmed Tinubu to as a matter of urgency to halt the activities of the National Tax Force on the prohibition of illegal importation, supplying of small arms and light weapons (NATFORCE).
In a letter addressed to the President on 21st August, 2023 and signed by the Regional 1st Vice President of WAANSA, Mr Martin Igwe, the CSO said NATFORCE, which was earlier proscribed by the National Security Council, is still acting as a Commission without a known head and a known Government Ministry under which the Commission is domesticated.
The CSO warned that the activities of NATFORCE is a security threat to the peace and stability of the country and urged the President to immediately put a stop to the Tax Force before it becomes too late.
The letter reads in part, “I write to bring to your knowledge of the activities of Proscribed National Tax Force on the prohibition of illegal importation, supplying of small arms and light weapons which was proscribed by National Security Council and still acting as a commission with yet to be known leadership head.
“Your Excellency Sir, conflict in Sudan has brought the economy down no thanks to the activities of a paramilitary group known as Rapid Support forces fighting with Sudanese armed forces. We all know the security situation in the Northeast and how it started, billions of Nigerian scarce resources, which supposed to have been used for sustainable development got lost into fight against insurgency.
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“We are yet to know under which Government Ministry the proscribed NATFORCE is domesticated, Nigeria has well professional Directorate of state Security Services, National Security Adviser and a National Centre for the control of small arms and light weapons.
“Vanguard Editorial of 21st September, 2022 made clear the position of government through Ministry of Interior and Police Affairs that Federal Government is satisfied with the performance of Security Agencies and did not need an illegal body like NATFORCE.
“I am shocked to read in the pages of Newspaper of proscribed NATFORCE transforming itself into commission. Issues of National Security must not be treated with kids glove hence a passionate appeal to use your Exalted office to direct relevant Government Agencies to halt the activities of this proscribed group before another Sudan experience in Nigeria.”
WAANSA-NIGERIA said a letter will be addressed to ECOWAS, Director State Security Services and office of the National Security Adviser on the possible best options for the already recruited personnel of the said proscribed NATFORCE so that they will not become additional threat to National Security.
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