Interview with the Acting Director- General, National Commission for the Co-ordination and Control of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Otunba Adejare Rewane Adegbenro.
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 actualize 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 bearest minimum. It means Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed because right now Nigerians cant sleep due to high rate of insecurity, take for instance the recent killings in Plateau state, Benue state and other parts of the country.
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 blueprint, the know-how, specialty, security expertise and the structure of the agency is the head. Some people do not want NATCOM to come to fruition and they will do anything to thwart our sincere efforts and its evident that they use the media. We have an individual parading himself as D.G, one even called himself interim D.G. You can verify. The former DG was duly removed from office by the council of commandants. He’s currently wanted by the police due his activities during his time as DG. He keeps hiding but very soon the law will get him and he will be brought to book. Let him answer to the Nigeria police before coming out to claim what he is not. And for the other one calling himself interim; what an illegality. These are interlopers, intruders who do not want the current administration to actualize its dream of putting an end to insecurity because an enemy of NATCOM is an enemy of peace and security in Nigeria. With my specialty in security and with the blueprint of NATCOM, we would bring insecurity to its kneels by God’s willing.
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 realize 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. Yes there is a ‘center for the coordination and control of small arms and light weapons under the office of the NSA but we are coming as a commission in line with ECOWAS treaty to work in harmony with the center to fight the proliferation of arms in Nigeria. The 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 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, ammunition, pipeline vandalism and the likes. We are going to work with him, I mean the bill already made provision for that harmony. The NSA oversees all security agencies, so ours wont 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. I trust Mr. President whom I know since I was 16 and who is like a father to me to do well to this harmonization and inter agency cooperation.
You said you have known President Tinubu since you were 16 and he’s been like a father to you, and of course you arethe 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. He inspires my doggedness, and I’m working day and night to ensure NATCOM comes into fruition. I am doing this for the love I have for my nation. Terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, assassination, arson, smuggling etc 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 intelligent technologies 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.
Have you sought the audience of key stakeholders?
I have visited the wise men of the class of 99 , and they kept asking where I was in that era. I told them I was acquiring knowledge. Part of the class 99 is our president Tinubu. So I must tell you the truth; the key stakeholders too numerous to mention are solidly behind me. They have read my blueprint and they gave their full approval. I have equally consulted most of the former military head of states and service chiefs and generals for a better understanding of what needs to be done and how well to effectively achieve results for the good of this nation.
Can you elaborate on the class of 99 you talking 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. I take advice from him and he is in full support of NATCOM because he believes Nigeria can be safe again. All those illegal arms in Benue, Plateau, Borno, Zamfara among others will be mopped up and destroyed.
Also, one of the wise men of 1999 is the former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba. He is a man of many accomplishments. He is my godfather. Interestingly, my biological father is the godson of Chief Osoba first son, Olumide Osoba who is currently in the House of Representatives. I’m learning from him as well. Then 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 making sure I consult stakeholders that will make my job with NATCOM easier, consultations have been made, copious notes have been taken and all these we have incorporated into the blueprints and framework of NATCOM.
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 bullet. People are killed everyday unjustly by illegal weapons. Wont I ensure there is proper mopping of arms. My intentions are sincere. I’m driven by the aspiration to see a Nigeria where people won’t have to secure their wards oversea. I’m with a sole purpose of facilitating a safe environment that will harbinger peace, prosperity and unity of Nigeria. The 9thassembly led by Ahmed Lawan and Femi Gbajabiamila passed the bill after a meticulous perusal of the blueprint and wide consultation. What remains is the presidential assent. We are a donor organization. We will generate our own funds, in other words, we are self-funded. Our establishment costs nothing to the government (zero cost). So, why not NATCOM?
Sometime last year, the EFCC was looking for you, what went wrong?
It was down to a civil transaction that happens 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 2 billion naira judgement 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 some people that will throw spanner in the wheel of NATCOM progress.
I am aware you know Femi Gbajabiamila, what can you say about the controversies that trailed the former Speaker, now Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila?
From my own perspective, enemies within and around should leave him to his work. He’s a man of experience. He’s young and vibrant. A lot of people are jealous of his position just a lot of people are blocking the emergence of NATCOM. Fortunately, President Tinubu is a wise man who knows not to listen to distractions.
From a security expert’s point of view, why the Plateau insecurity and the recent kidnappings and shooting of policemen in Abuja?
You can see why I said NATCOM has a lot to play in our security architecture. The recent upsurge in criminal activities are down to illegal weaponry in the hands of the wrong people. Don’t forget that NATCOM officials will be embedded in areas fraught with criminal activities and will proactively mop up all the illegal arms. We know where these illicit arms and ammunitions are and I can assure we will do the needful. I Otunba Adejare and my team cannot wait to hit the ground running. I promise that Nigerians will be able to sleep with their eyes closed. I promise people of Plateau, Abuja, Borno, Benue among others that NATCOM will nip all criminal activities in their domains in the bud
What moral booster do you think Government should give to the Police to act more effectively?
First of all, I would advise the current administration to increase their wages in terms of salary. Second, pay their pension and gratuity as and when due. Also, life insurance for our police officers will be welcomed. We have seen cases where the family of policemen were kicked out of the barracks. I will advise Mr President to set up a committee and suggest possible ways to massively upgrade the welfare of our policemen.
Lastly, Switzertland’s Human Rights Commission appointed you a commissioner, what does this portend for your course?
Well, it was an honour done me. But it shows whatever one does, there are those observing and recording the deeds. My activities over the years were what they assessed and they decided to co-opt me into their commission. As they say, the result for hard-work is more work. All I want is a peaceful nation for my dear nation. This is my course, this is my prayer and this is my aspiration.