AIG deployed to head MMIA Police Command

Following fresh terrorism threats, the Federal Government has deployed an Assistant Inspector – General of Police, Mr Danjuma Muhammad, to take over affairs at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Police Command.

Muhammad is taking over from Mr Abdullahi Ali, a Commissioner of Police, who retired recently.

The command was hitherto headed by a commissioner and the move by the authorities to assign a superior officer might not be unconnected with threats by the Islamic State (ISIS), to carry out attacks on the aviation sector.

The spokesperson for the command, DSP Joseph Alabi, confirmed the development to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

Alabi said the deployment of an AIG to take over the helms of affairs at the nation’s busiest airport was aimed at improving safety and security of travellers and other airport users.

According to him, Muhammad is an experienced officer who has served in many commands and formations prior to his transfer to the airport.

He said: “The transfer of a very senior ranking officer to the airport command is very strategic and the objective is to ensure that nothing untoward occurs here.

“The AIG has since assumed duties and has warned officers attached to the command that he will not tolerate laziness, idleness and dereliction of duties.”

Alabi said the command head had also issued a warning to touts parading themselves within the airport environment that they would be prosecuted if apprehended.

On the threat by terrorists, he said Muhammad assured travellers and other airport users that adequate measures had been put in place for their safety and security.

“The command is working with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and other sister security agencies to ensure that our airport is safe.

“Our advice is that travellers and other airport users should remain vigilant, law abiding and also comply with the new security measures at the airport environment,” Alabi said.