Buhari Appoints New Chief Of NDLEA

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Mr Muhammad Abdallah as the new boss of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

President Buhari

The Secretary to Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, made the announcement in a statement released in Abuja on January 18, 2016.

The statement says that the appointment which takes effect from January 11 will be for a first term of five years.

It reads in part: “Abdallah, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Nigeria Army, has a Certificate of Education from Nigeria Defence Academy in 1977, a Bachelor’s Degree in American Politics and Government from Sam Houston State University, Huntville, Texas, USA in 1989, an M. A. Public Administration, LLB and LLM Degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria 2005 and 2011 respectively and Bachelor of Law from the Nigeria Law School in 2006.

“Abdallah is a Professional Security Officer whose public service career spanned over 30 years during which he served in various capacities and strategic positions in the military.

“Born on November 13, 1954, the new NDLEA boss is from Hong, Adamawa state.”

Abdallah replaces Ahmadu Giade, who had handed over to its Director- General, Mrs. Roli Bode George, after 10 years in service.

The NDLEA praised Giade for his service and for handing over without controversy.

“This is the first time in the agency’s history that an outgoing chairman will successfully serve for 10 years without blemish,” a statement by NDLEA’s spokesman, Mitchell Ofoyeju, said.

The statement had also quoted Giade, a retired deputy commissioner of police, as saying that he was leaving the agency better than he met it 10 years ago.

He had quoted Giade as saying, “My greatest legacy is my zero tolerance for corruption. If we must continue to dislodge drug barons and eradicate drugs from our society we must remain forthright and committed to drug control programmes.

“I am also leaving behind a legacy of proactive and intelligence-led organisation. The Agency, under my watch has a representative at INTERPOL headquarters and has successfully raised the international profile of the country through unprecedented seizures of drugs and arrest of drug barons.”

Giade cited the removal of Nigeria from the list of major drug transit countries by the United States and the cordial working relationship with stakeholders as some of his other achievements.

“The removal of Nigeria from the majors list opened doors to a robust cooperation and partnership with stakeholders,” he said.

The NDLEA is working towards the total eradication of illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; suppression of demand for illicit drugs and other substances of abuse; recovery of ill-gotten wealth, acquired from proceeds of illicit drug trade, protection, enhancement and maintenance of the image of Nigeria and Nigerians at home and abroad.

Source: Naij.com