I have been following with deep interest the story of DCP Abba Kyari, and one can’t but wonder what is giving him the courage and the audacity to do the things he does. In the Nigerian parlance, we say, “there is no smoke without fire.” ‘A toad, they say does not run in the day time for nothing.’
Given the recognition and promotion Abba Kyari has enjoyed in the police force within the 20 years span of his career, and the rumour that he was even been groomed for the police top most job, before all of these things came to light; it is easy to believe that Kyari has the ear and support of a very ‘big man’ up there that he is working for and whose backing he enjoys.
Godfatherism is not new in Nigerian. For anyone to get a good job, one needs a godfather or someone who knows someone that has the influence to get it done. In some cases you needn’t see the person, just a phone call from the ‘big’ man could get the work done swiftly. Even in politics, some big man somewhere or a group of people, can get together to decide who becomes who in Nigeria, regardless of what the majority of Nigerians think. This is our lot in this part of the world. And it is situations like this that has bred the likes of Kyari and people before him.
Abba Kyari came into prominence when he caught the famous suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike alias ‘Evans,’ in 2021, This feat immediately earned him the title of the ‘super cop.’ From then on, Abba Kyari’s name became something of a household name. He started walking with a swagger and feeling like a super star from a popular movie. In some inner quarters, Kyari was seen as an Inspector General of Police in the making and this and the tremendous influence he wielded within his circle, gained him the unflinching loyalty of his subordinates and equals.
During the #ENDSARS protest our ‘super cop’ was believed to have played a crucial role in crushing the protest. Undoubtedly, Kyari worked his way through the police force where he has served for 20 years to being the guy who gets the work done. His popularity increased within and outside the police force. By virtue of his unique task and privileged postings, there is no doubt that drug barons and scammers found him a valuable tool on their side. Having Kyari on their side meant ‘good’ business. And apparently, some people allege that some percentage of the proceeds of their illicit trading went to the ‘super cop.’ He, Kyari, appeared to be enjoying the best of both worlds.
Business went on as usual for Abba Kyari, until in 2021 when the bubble burst; the highly decorated Mr Kyari was indicted by a U.S. court as a conspirator in a $1.1 million fraudulent deal against a Qatari businessman by a fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly called Hushpuppi. The US demanded for the extradition of Abba Kyari to the United States of America to face charges.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) on recommendation of the IGP, Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), suspended Mr Kyari from office as a deputy commissioner of police and head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), pending the completion of the investigation. And that was where it seemed to end.
There was no move by the Nigerian government to extradite Abba Kyari; and the super cop continued his life in Nigeria as usual still enjoying support and loyalty of his colleagues. He was even sighted at the wedding of the IGP’s daughter, late last year.
But about two weeks ago, there was a press briefing by the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, hinting that Abba Kyari may be extradited to the US by the Nigerian government to answer his case. People were still trying to digest that when this news of his involvement in a drug cartel hit the newsstand.
On Monday, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in its new revelation, said Mr Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline, and needs to answer questions that came up in an ongoing drug case in which he is the principal actor.
The agency also added that he had refused to cooperate with them, hence the reason for their declaration. But, no sooner after the agency made the announcement than the police handed Kyari over to the NDLEA, few hours later.
The big question, however, is – how could a man under investigation for a cyber crime have the audacity to engage in another drug case?
Many are suspicious, nevertheless, of the arrest. Some Nigerians are of the view that this whole saga might be a conspiracy theory; an attempt by those protecting Abba Kyari to have a reason not to hand him in to the United States. According to section 3 subsection 11, no.9 of the Nigerian extradition law: “Extradition application will be rejected where the fugitive criminal has been charged with an offence, under Nigerian law, other than the offence for which his surrender is sought, but has neither been discharged nor acquitted of the charge.” This, we understand, provides mandatory grounds under which extradition may be refused. Others, however, commend the courage of Brigadier General Buba Marwa, Rtd. the newly appointed head of the agency for doing the ‘impossible.’
Nigerians are keeping their fingers crossed as they watch events unfold. A lot of Nigerians are just tired and wishing that the authorities should muster the courage to do the needful to sanitize an institution that stinks. A situation where those who are entrusted with the responsibility of fighting crimes turn out to be the criminals themselves is highly disturbing. This is hoping that the investigation will be thorough and that all those responsible or found culpable will be brought to book. There is a need for a thorough cleansing of the system.
Who Is Abba Kyari?
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DCP Abba Kyari hails from Borno state from the Northeastern part of Nigeria. He is of the Kanuri tribe.
Kyari, 46, is a graduate of Geography who joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of police in the year 2000, after completing his training for police academy in Wudil, Kano state.
In 2005, he joined the Mobile Police Force and in 2010 he was posted to the Lagos Command. His rapid rise in the police force saw him becoming the number two man and officer-in-charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, responsible for fighting crimes and armed robbery, car theft, kidnapping and terrorism. The SARS were later known for their brutality which led to the very famous #ENDSARS protest in Nigeria in October 2020. Following the protest, President Muhammadu Buhari was compelled to ban SARS. Kyari served in that unit for five years.
He has received countless awards and recognitions for his unwavering and successful work in the police force especially in the area of crime busting, when he served as the intelligence officer.
What becomes of the case in the coming weeks and months will reveal how much of a protection Abba Kyari appears to be enjoying from some quarters, and if Nigerians are prepared to once and for all do away with the very troubling ‘sacred cow’ issue that has been the bane of this country since inception.
How that pans out is yet to be seen. Nigerians and the world are watching.
Geraldine Onyenweaku