The provost of the National Commission for the Co-ordination and Control of the Proliferation Against Small Arms, Ammunitions, Light Weapons, and Pipeline Vandalism in Nigeria (NATCOM), Silas Uchendu Ihemeremadu, has reacted to a purported vote of confidence in Agaba Iduh Fidel as the Acting Director-General of NATCOM.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, Ihemeremadu described the purported endorsement of Fidel as fake, saying he remained suspended from the organisation.
He noted that Agaba Iduh Fidel was one of the members suspended from NATCOM office in 2023 by the disciplinary committee instituted by the management of the organisation for abuse of office and extortion of money from some gullible members of the public.
Some weeks ago, one Otumba Adejare Adegbenro Nurudeen was also caught for organising a fake three-day sensitisation, orientation and awareness training for some officers and men in Abuja.
During the program, he allegedly extorted N5,500.00 for documentation from each of the participants.
Nurudeen was consequently arrested by the Small Arms, Ammunitions and Light Weapons Team of the of Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in Abuja, for his illegal activities and he is still being investigated at the headquarters of the Police Force.
However, the proponent of the NATCOM Bill that was passed into law by the 9th and 10th National Assemblies, respectively, Dr. Baba Mohammed, advised members of the public not to engage themselves in any illegal activities tantamount to threatening the peace of Nigeria, as such defaulters will be punished by the law of the Federation.
He encouraged those who have genuine letters of appointment signed by him to be patient for their orientation, and training when President Bola Tinubu magnanimously signs the NATCOM Bill into law and graciously announces Dr. Baba Mohammed as the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NATCOM, or the Executive Chairman of NATCOM.