Okereke, ex-Natforce DG, others sent to Kuje Prisons for illegal possession of arms

A Wuse Magistrates Court has ordered that a former Director General of the National Task Force to Combat Illegal Importation, Smuggling of Small Arms, and Light Weapons, Osita Okereke, be remanded in Kuje Prisons.

Okereke and 22 others were dragged before the court over alleged illegal possession of firearms.

The weapons were reportedly found in Okereke’s offices in the Federal Capital Territory and in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, during the execution of a search warrant by the police.

The former Natforce DG was accused of defrauding unsuspecting job seekers of millions of naira, posing as Natforce DG, and assaulting two police officers sent to affect his arrest after a petition to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Muhammed Adamu by the acting Director-General (Special Task Force) of the Importers Association of Nigeria, Chijioke Okoro.

He was however arrested on April 18 while paying a courtesy call on the acting IGP at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Read also: District head of Buhari’s hometown kidnapped

Confirming the development, Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said on Wednesday that six guns, live cartridges, army camouflage, nine police belts, two tear gas canisters, 11 pairs of desert boots, a pair of handcuffs and one stun baton were recovered from Okereke’s offices.

Mba said: “On the strength of the petition to the IG, two police inspectors attached to the Intelligence Response Team went after him and were able to trace him to Gracious Hotel on April 18.

“Surprisingly, after identifying themselves as policemen, Okereke signalled his boys to beat up the officers. The boys assaulted them, injuring the officers in the process.

“The suspects also seized the mobile phones of the officers, their identity cards and other things. Okereke has since been charged alongside 22 others and remanded in Kuje Prison.”

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