The National Security Council says high-level negotiations are still ongoing to secure the release of the remaining victims of the Abuja-Kaduna train attack.
Briefing newsmen after the council’s meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Maigari Dingiyadi said the arrest of the self-imposed negotiator between the abductors and victims, Alhaji Tukur Mamu, would not have any impact on the release or otherwise of the remaining victims.
While the security council commended security personnel for their bravery and sacrifices, it also declared the National Taskforce on Prohibition of Smuggling of Arms, Ammunition, Light Weapons, Chemical Weapons, and Pipeline Vandalism, NATFORCE, illegal.
The Minister of Interior, Alhaji Rauf Aregbesola, who also briefed newsmen, advised the leadership NATFORCE to disband it with immediate effect or risk being disbanded forcefully by security agencies.
The Senate had in July passed the Bill seeking to establish he taskforce, while the House of Representatives is expected to pass its version upon resumption in September 2022, which makes its existence illegal until all required legislative actions on it are completed.
Aregbesola also said investigation into Kuje correctional facility attack by gunmen is still a work in progress.
He said President Buhari had expressed satisfaction with the performance of all security agencies, adding that the country is moving to the phase of consolidation.
He said the council also commended the police for their performance during the Anambra, Ekiti and Osun governorship elections.
Bello Wakili
