Musa Bamaiyi (11 June 1948 – 17 April 2007) was a Nigerian Army major general who headed the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from 1995 to 1998.[1] He was older brother to former Chief of Army Staff, Lt-General Ishaya Bamaiyi.[2] He was also acting governor of Benue State in 1984.[1]

Musa Bamaiyi
Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency
In office
1995–1998
Preceded byBa'ppa jama're
Succeeded byOgbonna Okechukwu Onovo
Personal details
Born(1948-06-11)11 June 1948
Zuru, Northern Region, British Nigeria (now in Kebbi State, Nigeria)
Died17 April 2007(2007-04-17) (aged 58)
Zuru, Nigeria
Resting placeZuru, Nigeria
Relations
Military service
Allegiance Nigeria
Branch/service Nigerian Army
Years of service1968–1999
RankMajor general

NDLEA Chairman

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The NDLEA, under Bamaiyi's tenure arrested Fela Anikulapo Kuti for the possession of illegal drugs.[3][4] About 100 or more people (including minors) were arrested when the NDLEA raided Fela's popular shrine location. Bamaiyi noted that, the NDLEA tried to rehabilitate Fela during a live television broadcast where Bamaiyi and Fela disagreed on the harmful nature of Indian Hemp.[3] Fela Kuti filed a $1.2 million lawsuit for his "unlawful arrest and detention" by the NDLEA[4] and reportedly has an unreleased composition titled Bamaiyi,[5] presumably about his encounter with the NDLEA and Musa Bamaiyi.

Sibling rivalry with Ishaya Bamaiyi

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Musa Bamaiyi reportedly feuded with his younger brother, Lt-General Ishaya Bamaiyi for years and sought redress from the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission (HRVIC) Panel, headed by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.[6]

Death

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Musa Bamaiyi died on 17 April 2007, aged 58.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Musa Bamaiyi is dead". Online Nigeria. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  2. ^ Siollun, Max (2009). Oil, Politics and Violence: Nigeria's Military Coup Culture (1966-1976). Algora Publishing, 2009. p. 144. ISBN 9780875867106. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  3. ^ a b Olori, Toye. "Music-Nigeria: Afrobeat King Falls Foul of Drug Enforcers". Inter Press Service News Agency. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  4. ^ a b Kaufman, Gil. "Nigerian Star Fela Anikulapo-Kuti Fights Back". MTV. Archived from the original on 3 January 2017. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  5. ^ Veal, Michael (2000). Fela: The Life & Times of an African Musical Icon. Temple University Press. p. 298. ISBN 9781439907689. Retrieved 2 January 2017. fela bamaiyi.
  6. ^ Asoya, Sylvester. "Nigeria: Bamaiyi Vs Bamaiyi". AllAfrica. Retrieved 2 January 2017.