Alleged Extortion:

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed the chairman of the National Task Force on importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and light weapons, Chief Osita Okereke for alleged extortion.
A statement signed by the commission's spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said that the suspect was quizzed over a case of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and extortion.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed the chairman of the National Task Force on importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and light weapons, Chief Osita Okereke for alleged extortion.
A statement signed by the commission's spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said that the suspect was quizzed over a case of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and extortion.
The statement alleged that the suspect was the arrow head of a syndicate masquerading as members of a self-styled “National Task Force” set up to combat the importation and smuggling of small arms, ammunition and light weapons.
"The syndicate, which maintains offices in some of the country’s geopolitical zones, allegedly defrauded unsuspecting members of the public by deceitfully selling recruitment forms to them at the cost of five thousand naira (N5, 000) each, under the pretext of offering them employment with the Federal Government.
"The scam was uncovered through intelligence report. And, after weeks of painstaking surveillance, operatives of the commission stormed the 3rd Floor, Federal Secretariat Complex, Independence Layout, Enugu, offices of the syndicate and arrested the Zonal
Coordinator, and nine others," It stated.
It added that several documents and cash were recovered after a search.
The suspects have since been released on administrative bail after making useful statements, claiming that the Taskforce was duly recognized by the government.
The statement however, stated that the commission’s investigation found no evidence of such registration.
It added that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as the investigation was concluded.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that the illegal ‘task force’ which once paraded a former Inspector General of Police as its head operated unhindered at Lagos ports and across many land borders for several months.
After the heat was turned on them in Lagos, the syndicate later relocated to the east where the bubble burst last week.
While at the ports and land biorderd
The Task Force’s pioneer chairman, Onuchukwu James (now deceased) was (at a point) locked in legal battle over the task force for many months until the courts adjudicated in favour of Onuchukwu. He was later murdered by unknown killers in a hotel in Festac Town, Lagos.