Acting Director-General, National Commission for the Coordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM), Adejare Rewane Adegbenro, speaks on plans to rid the country of illegal arms among other issues in this interview. Excerpts:
What is the way forward for NATCOM as we speak?
Well, a bill has been passed. We are waiting for President Bola Tinubu to put pen to paper. This will enable us actualise the dreams and aspiration of NATCOM; one of which is making sure weapons don’t go into the wrong hands. And when this happens, it means we are curbing crime to the barest minimum. It means Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed.
There seems to be three factions, how does one separate the original from the fake?
There are no factions. It is the creation of the media. I possess the blueprint, the expertise, specialty and the structure. Some people do not want NATCOM to come to fruition and they will do anything to thwart our sincere efforts. They are the fake ones parading themselves as DG, one even called himself interim DG. These are interlopers, intruders who do not want the current administration to actualise its dream of putting an end to insecurity. With my specialty in security and with the blueprint of NATCOM, we would bring insecurity to its knees.
There is reportedly an agency under the NSA dealing with proliferation of light arms. Are you going to work in tandem with the agency or stand alone?
You have to realise that there’s no monopoly of power. The office of the National Security Adviser is very big and it’s saddled with a lot of responsibilities, and the only way for the office to succeed is to delegate duties. The National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, is very competent, intelligent and calm. You can attest to this when he was the EFCC chairman, despite the litany of death threats, he was unperturbed and succeeded. Since he assumed office as the NSA, he has hit the ground running. We are set to benefit from some of his underground works. We are coming on board to help him mediate a lot of problems concerning light arms, ammunitions, chemical weapons and the likes. We are going to work in tandem with him. The NSA oversees all security agencies, so ours won’t be an exception. We will also tap from his wealth of wisdom. He is the first policeman that will serve as the NSA since the return of democracy.
Have you sought the audience of key stakeholders?
I have visited the wise men of the class of 99 , and they kept asking where was I in that era. I told them I was acquiring knowledge. Part of the class 99 is President Bola Tinubu. The key stakeholders are too numerous to mention. They are all solidly behind me. They have read my blueprint and they gave their full approval.
Can you elaborate on the class of 99 you talked about?
If you cast your mind back to 1999, regardless of their affiliations or political parties, they all worked together in peace and harmony and moved Nigeria forward. The class of 99 are made up of all political parties, activists and politicians in that era that fought for the return of democracy. One of them is the Secretary to Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. He is a super man. He is in full support of NATCOM. All those illegal arms in Benue, Plateau, Borno, Zamfara, among others, will be mopped up and destroyed when we get the assent.
Also, one of the wise men of 1999 is the former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba. He is a man of many accomplishments. He is my godfather. Interestingly, my biological father is the godfather of Chief Osoba’s first son, Olumide Osoba, who is currently in the House of Representatives. Chief Osoba is over 80 and still looking sharp. He reads without the aid of spectacles. I’m learning from him as well. Also, President Bola Tinubu whom I have known since I was 16. I have mentioned three stakeholders so far, they are too numerous to mention. I have reached out far and wide, consultations have been made, copious notes have been taken and all these we have incorporated into the blueprints and framework of NATCOM.
You said you have known President Tinubu since you were 16 and he’s been like a father to you, of course you are the grandson of Pa Alfred Rewane, the then financier of NADECO. Tell us about his capability in restoring the fortunes of the nation.
There’s nobody that can bring Nigeria out of this mess than President Bola Tinubu. I call him the Jagaban of the world. I have learnt a lot from him. I took my doggedness from him, and I’m working day and night to ensure NATCOM comes into fruition. I’m doing this for the love I have for my nation. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, assassination, arson, smuggling and so on can be ended in Nigeria. Talking about smuggling, NATCOM will work with Customs. We will cross-fertilise ideas on how to better mount the different porous borders that we have, the use of sophisticated technology that will tighten the security of our borders. Moreso, borders are where illegal arms and ammunition come in. We are also going to work hand in glove with the Nigeria police, identifying blackspots for smuggling of arms. Let me mention a few. I am ready, members of staff of NATCOM are ready to rid Nigeria of illegal arms in a bid to make the nation safe.
You talk passionately about fighting insecurity in the nation but there are many ways to skin a cat, why NATCOM?
Insecurity is being fueled by illegal arms. Apart from poverty, another root cause is the proliferation of illegal arms and ammunition. Stop the supply and mop up the ones in circulation, then we will instantly bring insecurity to a halt. Perhaps you didn’t know, my grandfather died by a bullet. People are killed everyday unjustly by illegal weapons. Why won’t I ensure there is a proper mop-up of illegal arms. My intentions are sincere and clear. I’m driven by the aspiration to see Nigeria where people won’t have to secure their children overseas. I have a sole purpose of facilitating a safe environment that will be a harbinger of peace, prosperity and unity of Nigeria. The ninth Assembly led by Ahmad Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila passed the bill after a meticulous perusal of the blueprint and wide consultations. What remains is the presidential assent. We are a donor organisation. We will generate our own funds, in other words, we are self-funded. Our establishment costs government nothing. So, why not NATCOM?
Sometime last year, the EFCC was looking for you, what went wrong
It was down to a civil transaction that happened years ago. My name has been cleared and the ‘wanted notice’ withdrawn.
There was another report last year about the court summoning you over alleged N2 billion judgment debt
I can tell you categorically that it was a false report. I wasn’t summoned by any court. No court or summon letter or any form of invitation from the court of law. If there was, I would have been charged for contempt. No one is bigger than the law. I am a law-abiding citizen. Anyway, my lawyers have taken that up. I will only urge the media to verify before publishing. All these reports are the handiwork of some people that want to throw spanner in the wheel of NATCOM progress.
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