Clearing the misconceptions about NATFORCE

This is to refer to the misconceptions going round about the activities of the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE). For the avoidance of doubt, NATFORCE is an off-shoot of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) which replaced the […]

This is to refer to the misconceptions going round about the activities of the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE).

For the avoidance of doubt, NATFORCE is an off-shoot of the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) which replaced the defunct Presidential Committee on Small Arms and Light Weapons and served as the institutional mechanism for policy guidance, research and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

NATFORCE, therefore, is the most desiring body that could be used to augment the growing security lapses and civil strife in the country and also to provide the much-needed employment for our teeming youths who are roaming the streets without a means of livelihood.

We therefore, appeal to the Senator representing Katsina North to support rather than condemn NATFORCE.

An Executive Bill which, amongst other things, is seeking to establish a National Commission Against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons is presently receiving attention at the National Assembly.

Nigerians are eagerly waiting to hear a positive response from the two chambers empowered to make laws for the country i.e. the National Assembly, which will provide the needed legislative backing to properly define the responsibilities of the taskforce and set legal guidelines for its operations across the federation.

Until then, we should all give peace a chance and support NATFORCE.

 Ambassador (Dr.) Fatima Muhammad Goni wrote from Abuja