Colonel named in arms deal

Task force boss says Army officer escorted 10 weapons trucks

FROM FRED ITUA, ABUJA 

The Director-General, National Task Force on Illegal Importation of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), Mr. Osita Okereke, has raised the alarm over an alleged involvement of a serving Army Colonel in illegal importation of arms and ammunition into the country.
Mr. Okereke told reporters in Abuja that one Colonel serving in 242 Division and a businessman have been aiding and abetting importation and release of arms, ammunition, light weapons and contraband from Seme border.
He disclosed that one Nura who he alleged had been working for a top officer of the Nigeria Customs Service at Seme border for nine years invited the Army officer to the border on November 20.
The Colonel, according to him, came to Seme border with his officers in five Toyota Hilux vans and overpowered the men and officers of the task force and escorted 10 trucks loaded with ammunition into the country.
His words: “It is not an allegation. It is something that happened. There are witnesses. When we say somebody came with Army officers, all of them dressed like they are going for war. He came from 242 Division. I called him on phone, he told me he was at a club, he could not talk to me.
He said: “I travelled and I was somewhere in Makurdi and he called me asking me where is my office, telling me they had to go and drive out some vigilante. He said he never knew about NATFORCE. He said the message came from the Office of National Security Adviser.
“Let me tell you, those trailers, we have been monitoring them for the past three months because we told them we must have 100 per cent examination. We had information on those trailers and Customs became scared. Those trailers have been there for over three weeks at the Seme border. They didn’t know what to do than to go and bring the Army,” Mr Okereke said.
He, however, called on the Federal Government to investigate so as to bring the culprits to book.