By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
National Executive Council (NEC) of National Taskforce to Combat Illegal Importation/Smuggling of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE) has passed a vote of confidence on its Director-General, Chief Emmanuel Okereke; the Council has also condemned alleged EFCC witch-hunt in the last two years.
This was part of the resolution reached at its NEC meeting held at IMAN’s headquarters, Abuja, weekend.
The resolution signed by NATFORCE’s secretary-general, Hon. Kingsley Chikezie,
stated: “It is disheartening that those same agencies whose jobs are being complimented by the taskforce would turn around to let themselves as the frontiers of persecution. This organisation never worked undercover or underground. They are visible all over the states.
“More so, the nation’s media were awash with news and information about all the court cases and bad blood between the national taskforce and the EFCC regarding the ugly incidence at latter’s office in Enugu. There were also issues with the Nigeria Customs and even the Police.
“In all those issues, the national taskforce came out victorious with the case against the EFCC. A huge cost was awarded against the EFCC by the court to that effect. It then becomes worrisome why the EFCC would be branding the national taskforce and it’s operatives as illegal and fraudulent.”
The meeting which was attended by the directors of the 36 and the FCT, further resolved that: “Having passed the vote of confidence on the DG, Chief Emmanuel Osita Okereke, and secretary general, Hon Kingsley Chikezie, their tenure has also been extended to the next four years ending in November, 2019.”
The resolution also declared that; “the EFCC declaration on the DG is political and witch-hunting since the matter concerned is in court, as well as that for purpose of effectiveness, all other key positions in the organisation shall be filled and made known to the public.”
