NATFORCE, IMAN extend Okereke's tenure by 5-years- The director general of National Taskforce on Recovery of Prohibited Importation/Smuggling of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons' tenure has been extended - Osita Okereke's tenure was extended by five-years by the national executive council - Okereke's tenure elongation was the major decision reached at the NEC meeting of the two bodies held in Abuja on Thursday, May 16 The tenure of director general of the National Taskforce on Recovery of Prohibited Importation/Smuggling of Small Arms, Ammunition and Light Weapons (NATFORCE), Osita Okereke, has been increased by five years. Also, the National Executive Council, NEC of the association, has approved tenure elongation for Okereke as the National President of Importers Association of Nigeria, IMAN. Legit.ng gathers that Okereke's tenure elongation was the major decision reached at the NEC meeting of the two bodies held in Abuja on Thursday, May 16. NATFORCE had sought the full support of the federal government in assisting the security agencies to halt the activities of criminals in the country, especially the now dreaded Abuja-Kaduna road. In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the NEC explained that it took the decision following the towering achievements recorded by Okereke within the period under review. It also said that it also put into consideration Okereke's efforts to ensure that the Bill on National Commission on NATFORCE awaiting passage on the floor of the Senate succeeds. READ ALSO: I used the money for my campaign - EFCC arrests lawmaker-elect for alleged N26m fraud (photo) The communique signed by the NEC members from the 36 states of the federation and Abuja , said Okereke should continue to take charge and manage the affairs of IMAN as National President and Director General of NATFORCE for the next five years with effect from Wednesday, May 15, 2019. It read in parts: "In view of the travails suffered by Chief Okereke in the hands of the Nigeria Police in the course of securing the legitimacy of our Association and NATFORCE, NEC has passed a vote of confidence on him and mandated him to continue to manage the affairs of IMAN and the NATFORCE for the next five (5) years with effect from 15th of May 2019". "NEC wishes to inform the general public to disregard publications by one Mr. Chijioke Okoro, who described as a 'self-made ambassador and acting director general of the Taskforce and all those sponsoring him to destabilize the association and NATFORCE. "The Council recognizes Chief (Dr.) Osita Emmanuel Okereke as National President of IMAN and DG NATFORCE in line with the judgement of the Appeal Court on February. "We are mandating the NATFORCE to flag-off operations in the 36 states of the federation and Abuja and join other security agencies to curb the increasing security challenges in various parts of the country," it stated. The NEC commended the acting inspector general of police Muhammad Adamu for renewing the agency's signal and appealed for adequate support of all the Police Commands in the 36 states and Abuja for NATFORCE with a view to getting rid of kidnappers, banditry and other forms of crimes against the nation. It, however, informed the IGP of "an illegal body which operates as IMAN Special Taskforce that is being sponsored by a group of terrorists that is striving to destroy and hijack NATFORCE and sabotage our effort to rid Nigeria of all forms of criminality". In his acceptance speech, Okereke assured the nation that if 20% of the allocation to other security agencies in the country is given to NATFORCE, the lingering kidnapping and banditry occurring along Kaduna Abuja Expressway would end. He said the agency has what it takes to restore sanity on the road and other parts of the country. Okereke further appealed to the leadership of the Senate to fast track the passage of the Agency's Bill on National Commission on the prohibition and recovery of illegal importation of small arms, ammunition and light weapons before the expiration of the 8th Senate. PAY ATTENTION: Download our mobile app to enjoy the latest news updates Meanwhile, Legit.ng previously reported that NEC of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) and NATFORCE have called on the inspector general of police, Mohammed Adamu to release its boss. The leaders of the agencies also debunked claims that Okereke has been removed as the president and director general of the organisations respectively. The coordinator of all directors of the agencies, Obinna Onyekwere debunked allegations against Okereke. Onyekwere making the resolutions of the NEC and NatForce meeting said Okereke remains its president and director general of IMAN and NatForce. NAIJ.com (naija.ng) -> Legit.ng. 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