Men of the Kwara State command of the State Security Services (SSS) have vowed to continue preventing   security task force of the Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN) from carrying out any operation in the state.

The Nigerian Tribune gathered that men of the SSS, who stormed the venue of a seminar/training programme of the IMAN task force at the state Hajj Camp, Adewole Area of Ilorin, in a commando style, prevented officials of the organisation from registering over 400 applicants who had besieged the venue for the programmme.

It was also gathered that the state security outfit, that came in large number to the venue in jeeps and  heavily armed, locked all the buildings meant for the planned programme since Monday, alleging that the importers’ security outfit was illegal and fake.

Some of the applicants with their luggage,  who said they had travelled from neighbouring states, added that they were assaulted by the state security outfit when they tried to enter the venue of the programme.

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, the state Director of the task force, Mrs. Omoyemi Abiona, explained that IMAN is legally backed by Article 21 of its constitution to set up a task force to combat increasing rate of smuggling of goods, small arms and light ammunition from our borders into the country.

 Abiona appealed to the National Assembly and President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene in the matter by processing the bill setting up the task force to stop undue harassment.

She said that the task force had been successfully set up in North, South-East, South-South and Oyo State, adding that there was no reason for alleged intimidation in the state.

Efforts made to speak with the SSS director in the state, proved abortive as he was said not to be available for comments the Nigerian Tribune visited the SSS office.