NGOs worry over NATCOM DG’s whereabouts

The Coalition of Civil Society Networks (CCSN), in collaboration with the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for the release of the acting Director-General of the National Commission for the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM), Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, who was allegedly invited by operatives of Nigeria Police.

According to the NGOs, Otunba Adegbenro was summoned by the Special Weapon and Tactics Team (SWAT) of the Nigeria Police Force on April 26, 2024, stressing that since then, he was unreachable.

The groups pointed out that the development has raised a lot of concerns about his well-being.

Since then, his family and close associates have not heard from him, and there is no official statement regarding his whereabouts, arrest, or detention, nor any petition against him by the Nigeria Police.

While some sources claimed he was released on Monday, April 29, 2024, it has been confirmed that this is not true. "His phone number is unreachable, and his whereabouts remain unknown," source said.

While appealing to President Tinubu to ensure his safe release and uphold human rights and the rule of law, the groups demanded to know the current situation about Adegbenro's status.

The statement reads, "we condemned 'the arbitrary arrest and disappearance' of Otunba Adejare Adegbenro, the current High Commissioner in Nigeria for the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and acting Director General, National Commission for the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NATCOM). 

"Adegbenro, through his foundation; 'the Otunba Adejare Adegbenro Foundation (OAFF)', has been advocating for the establishment of a National Commission for the Control of Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons to address insecurity and promote youth employment in Nigeria."

The groups emphasized Ambassador Adegbenro’s contributions as a civil donor to security intelligence organizations, aiding the Nigerian government and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in the fight against the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons.

The group added, "considering Adegbenro's diplomatic status and his contributions to Nigeria's security and democracy, there is need for transparency and adherence to due process in all legal matters.

"We demand clarity on his current status and urge authorities, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure his release and uphold human rights and the rule of law."

They called for thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the allegations against Adegbenro, emphasizing the need for justice and accountability.

They seek transparency and adherence to due process in all legal matters, citing the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (1961), to which Nigeria is a signatory, specifically referring to Article 22, Article 29, Article 30, and Article 31.