National Security Council Orders Immediate Disbandment Of NATFORCE 

The National Security Council presided by President Muhammadu Buhari has declared the National Task Force on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical and Pipeline Vandalism illegal.

The council, consequently, asked the body to disband itself or face the wrath of the Federal Government.

The Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, made this known after Thursday’s National Security Council meeting held at the State House, Abuja.

Recall that the Senate had in June passed into law the bill establishing the National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, with NATFORCE as one of its critical components.

The House of Representatives, however, is yet to pass its version upon its resumption from recess.

The Minister, who said the council received reports from all service chiefs and Inspector-General of Police, said it is “very satisfied” with the performance of all security agencies and that the country is moving to the phase of consolidated security.

Aregbesola added that the council also commended the police for its performance in Ekiti, Osun and Anambra states where governorship elections were conducted recently.

However, he expressed concern over the remaining passengers kidnapped in the March 28 attack on a Kaduna-bound train saying no effort will be spared to rescue them alive.

The Minister of Police Affairs, also noted that the arrest and detention of the main negotiator with terrorists, Tukur Mamu, does not mean contact will be lost with the abductors.

He said there are other negotiators the government can employ as go-betweens.