Abba Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police, facing image problem after the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), America’s federal police and counter intelligence agency, fingered him as a culprit in an investigation into the activities of suspected Nigerian Internet fraudster, Ramon Abass, popularly known as Hushpuppi, has been declared wanted for involvement in drug-related deal by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
NDLEA released the shocking details of Kyari’s involvement in a 25 kilogrammes cocaine deal.
The anti-narcotic agency declared Kyari wanted in a briefing by its Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, at its National Headquarters in Abuja yesterday.
The agency said it declared Kyari wanted after all efforts to get him honour formal invitations for his interrogation failed.
Babafemi said the agency bemoaned a situation where those who were supposed to support current efforts to stem the tide of illicit drug trafficking and abuse were themselves neck deep in the menace.
He expressed regret that some law enforcement agents who should be partners in the pursuit of the Presidents mandate were at the forefront of breaking the law, as they aided drug trafficking in the country.
He stated that with the intelligence at the agency’s disposal, it believes strongly that DCP Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug route, and “he needs to answer questions that crop up in an ongoing drug case in which he is the principal actor. His failure to cooperate forced the hand of the Agency and that is the reason for this press briefing.”
Babafemi said Kyari tried to compromise NDLEA officials after his team intercepted arrested some traffickers that came into the country from Ethiopia with 25kg of cocaine.
He stated that Kyari proposed a drug deal whereby he and his team are to take 15kg of the cocaine and leave 10kg for the prosecution of the suspects arrested with the illicit drug in Enugu. In the meantime, the purloined cocaine will be replaced with a dummy worth 15kg. He asked the NDLEA officer to persuade men of the FCT Command, to play along as well.
In a sting operation, the NDLEA operatives cooperated with him, which led to his indictment in the whole saga.
He explained that Kyari plotted to sell part of the exhibit drugs and share the money with the officials.
“He also brought with him the money from the sale of the 5kg share of the NDLEA team, a total of $61, 400. Our officer, however, preferred to take the money inside his car. Well, the car was wired with sound and video recorders,” he explained, adding that Kyari was declared wanted, having failed to honour the official invitation extended to him.
Consequently, Police authorities arrested Kyari and four other police officers and handed them over to the NDLEA.
A statement by the acting police spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja, confirmed the NDLEA’s claim, necessitating their handover to the anti-drug agency.
The police report also indicted DCP Abba Kyari, who had been on suspension for his alleged involvement in a different fraud case being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for complicity in the allegation of official corruption, tampering with narcotics exhibit and sundry unprofessional conducts that negate the standard administrative and investigative protocols of the Force as well as extant criminal laws.
It is to be emphasised that DCP Abba Kyari’s involvement in these allegation occurred while his suspension from service was subsisting.
“On the strength of the findings of the in-house Police Investigation Panel, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and transfer of all the indicted police officers to the NDLEA authorities for conclusive investigation, while appropriate disciplinary actions are also being initiated against them by the Force leadership.
“The concerned officers include DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, ASP John Umoru (at large), Inspector Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu. They have all been, accordingly, handed over today, February 14, 2022 to the NDLEA authorities.”
Former Director of Department of Security, Dennis Amachree, said it pained him that Kyari is slipping deeper and deeper into the quagmire of illegality.
“I have met Kyari on a couple of occasions where I personally congratulated him for his fights and wins against kidnappers. But recent revelations have shown that Kyari must have a split personality.
“This also shows how deep the drug problem is in Nigeria. Kudos to the NDLEA boss and his officers, at least for staying above board.”
