NDLEA redeploys MMIA commander after six years

Umar

After six years as the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Commander Narcotics, in charge of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, Hamza Umar, has been moved Kano State Command.

 Ahmadu Garba has taken over as the commander at the MMIA. NDLEA said the redeployment was consistent with its policy on command appointments and postings. Umar, a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), is also a recipient of the prestigious National Award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON).
Umar, 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, 747 suspected drug traffickers were apprehended at the airport with 2,823.93kg of narcotics. The seized drugs included cocaine 659.971kg, heroin 234.837kg, cannabis 513.924kg, methamphetamine 539.08kg and ephedrine 201.63kg.
Umar attributed his success to the support and cooperation he got from the media. He said: “I remain indebted to our media partners for their wonderful support and cooperation. The coverage of our operational activities is highly commendable. I’m optimistic that future collaborative efforts will further help to reduce the menace of narcotic drugs across the world.”