National Task Force of Nigeria otherwise known as NATFORCE is an illegal National Taskforce established to combat illegal importation of goods, small arms, ammunition and light weapons.
FG Declares NATFORCE illegal
On June 6 2021, the Nigerian government declared the National Taskforce on the Prohibition of Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism an illegal security outfit.
According to a statement by the National Security Adviser Major General Babagana Monguno (retd.), NATFORCE was warned to end it operations nationwide with immediate effect.
The statement partly read
“In particular, the office has cautioned individuals, organisations and foreign partners on the activities of NATFORCE which was illegally formed as a task force to combat illegal importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and light weapons into Nigeria.
“The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons domiciled in the Office of the National Security Adviser is the national coordination mechanism for the control and monitoring of the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser has observed with concern the proliferation of illegal security outfits in the country.”
The NSA accused these illegal outfits of extorting, harassing and intimidating Nigerians while masquerading as part of the Nigerian security architecture.
“One of such groups is NATFORCE which seeks to combat illegal importation of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons and Pipeline Vandalism and has been involved in mounting illegal roadblocks, conducting illegal searches, seizures and recruitment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the general public and all stakeholders are to note that NATFORCE is an illegal outfit without any 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,”