NDLEA REDEPLOYMENT: GIADE appoints new MMIA COMMANDER

EX-MMI Commander Hamza

new commander MMI

The Chairman/Chief Executive of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ahmadu Giade has redeployed the commander at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) command Lagos, Commander of Narcotics (CN), Hamza Umar to Kano State Command. Hamza takes over as Kano State commander from Commander of Narcotics (CN), Ahmadu Garba who is now the commander at the Lagos airport. The redeployment is consistent with the Agency’s policy on command appointment and postings.

Hamza is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS). He is also a recipient of the prestigious National Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON). Hamza who took over as MMIA commander in December 2009 headed the Airport Communication Programme (AIRCOP) which is a multi-agency, anti-trafficking initiative that strengthens detection, interdiction and investigative capacities of participating airports in illicit drug source and transit countries.

The Lagos airport command under his tenure made tremendous drug seizures and high profile arrests. Between January 2010 and August 2015, a total of 747 suspected drug traffickers were apprehended at the Lagos Airport with 2,823.93kg of narcotic drugs. the seized drugs include cocaine 659.971kg, heroin 234.837kg, cannabis 513.924kg, methamphetamine 539.08kg and ephedrine 201.63kg.

Hamza attributed his success to the support and cooperation he got from the Nigerian media. In his words, “I remain indebted to our media partners for their wonderful support and cooperation. The coverage of our operational activities is highly commendable. I am optimistic that future collaborative efforts will further help to reduce the menace of narcotic drugs across the world”. He equally called for similar support for his successor.

Ahmadu Garba is a seasoned professional who has held several command positions in the Agency. He is a disciplinarian who believes in staff welfare and motivation. He is reputed to have deepened synergy among stakeholders wherever he had served as a commander. While calling for the support of stakeholders, Garba pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor.