The Coordinator of the National Centre for Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), retired Maj.-Gen. Abba Dikko, has separated the Centre from a group called the National Taskforce (NATFORCE).
Dikko was responding to a recent newspaper publication that linked NCCSALW to NATFORCE in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday.
He stated that the Centre had not hired any organization, individual, or recruitment agency to recruit on its behalf, as claimed by NATFORCE.
According to him, NATFORCE’s attempt to depict itself as having any link with NCCSALW was “inept, inappropriate, and bitterly abhorred.”
According to Dikko, the alleged NATFORCE’s relationship with the NCCSALW, which has been circulating on social media and in some national dailies, was malicious and intended to portray its affiliation with the NCCSALW ‘to justify its deceptive recruitment drive.’
He urged all well-meaning Nigerians to be steadfast in their condemnation of all forms of criminality, particularly the unnecessary proliferation of illicit weapons.
“NCCSALW urges all to reject primitive sentiments and allow the government’s effort to be institutionalized and entrenched.”
“We require a weapon-free society for citizens’ development and sociopolitical well-being to thrive.”
“NATFORCE, or any other organization, group, or groups ostensibly at the forefront of promoting an illicit weapons-free society, must do so in accordance with the government’s initiative aimed at reducing insecurity.”
“They should not be seen taking advantage of desperate times to dupe able-bodied Nigerians, particularly the youth, in any deceptive employment drive,” he said.
He warned the public to be wary of some misguided elements who seek to misinform citizens for reasons best known to them.
President Muhammadu Buhari established the NCCSALW in May 2021 as the national focal point for the implementation of Nigeria’s plan of action for the control of small and light weapons.
The center is based in Abuja at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).