Crime
REVEALED: Super cop, Abba Kyari was set up by trusted allies in NDLEA
By Paul Eso
Certainly, the last is yet to be heard of the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari, over his alleged involvement in illicit drug dealings.
Kyari’s case can be likened to ‘dog chop dog’ situation in Nigeria, that has led to an inter-agency rivalry.
DCP Abba Kyari
Recent findings have revealed that Kyari was set up by close and trusted allies in the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, because he was too influential in the police force.
The highly decorated officer was arrested on February 14 for drug peddling along with four other officers – Sunday Ubuah, Bawa James, Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu – following a “high-level discreet” investigation.
Kyari’s arrest came hours after Nigeria’s National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) declared him a wanted man, accusing him of being “a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline”.
Read also ‘Why NDLEA destroyed N194 billion cocaine seized in Ikorodu warehouse’
Report says the suspended DCP asked a colleague to help him siphon off part of a cocaine haul and he was caught on camera handing over $61,400 (£45,400) in cash.
Before his arrest, he had already been suspended for allegedly helping self-avowed fraudster, Hushpuppi, to launder money in the US.
He was said to be using his massive influence in the police to divert seized drugs from suspects, and reselling the drugs to other drug dealers.
Instead of handing over seized drugs to NDLEA as mandated by law, our sources said Kyari diverted the drugs he and his IRT men seizes from drugs suspects, kill the case, & resell the drugs to other dealers for huge sums of money.
This, it was gathered, didn’t go well with unscrupulous elements in the NDLEA who believed that he was using his police influence and closeness to powers to divert their ‘choppings’.
But the supper cop also has his own reasons of not handing over seized drugs to NDLEA officials. According to our findings, some staff of the anti-drug agency was in the habit of reselling seized drugs to other dealers.
It was gathered that Kyari has arrested suspects in the past, who have confessed to these claims. This infuriated him to start selling seized drugs, rather than hand them over to the NDLEA officials, unless the agency knows or hears about the arrest/seizure, before Kyari would hand surrender to the appropriate authority.
The fall of Kyari confirmed that most of security agents in Nigeria, are working for their personal pockets, rather than fighting real crime. They were said to have been emboldened because there was no consequence for wrong doing under the present government.
Our source who understands the workings of security agencies, cited the recent destruction of the 1.8 tons of cocaine seized in a Lagos warehouse on September 18, by the NDLEA as an example.
“For example, how do we explain this latest actions of NDLEA? They hurriedly destroyed 194 billion naira worth of seized cocaine in their custody, in less than two weeks after seizure. Those who know, know that a lot of things must have played out.
“A huge chunk of those sized drugs will finds it’s way back into the society, through some of those corrupt big boys in NDLEA, and their cronies, leaving lots of questions begging for answers.
“Was there an investigation to ascertain the true owners of the drugs. Was there further arrest after the seizure? Why the hurry by NDLEA to destroy this particular seizure, when there are lots and lots of old seized drugs in their custody? Who are they trying to protect.
“If you ask police officers who work under Abba Kyari in IRT, or those very close to him, they will attest to this claim. Corrupt NDLEA officials after seizing hard drugs, often divert huge chunks of it, to resell to other standby drug dealers.”
. . . As Operatives Recover Dangerous Weapons, Other Assets
As part of the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to emplace peace and public safety across Nigeria, operatives attached to the Imo State Police Command achieved a significant milestone in the ongoing battle against terrorism.
The feat saw operatives neutralised three deadly terrorist kingpins associated with the Eastern Security Network (ESN), destroyed their camps and recovered weapons.
In a statement on its verified handle on micro-blogging site, X, on Saturday, the NPF wrote, “On January 24, 2025, operatives from the Command’s tactical Unit following credible intelligence launched a coordinated operation aimed at locating and dislodging the terrorist hideouts.
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“The police operatives located the terrorists’ hideout in a forest within Ihube, Okigwe LGA. Upon approach, the operatives came under heavy fire from suspected IPOB/ESN terrorists but demonstrated exceptional courage and engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle.
“The operation resulted in the neutralization of 6 members of the terrorist group, with 3 being ESN kingpins identified as Ifeanyi Anayo a.k.a. Zuma De Rock (28), Chukwuemeka Odionyenfe a.k.a. Nmimi (22), and Kingsley Sunday (21)— all natives of Ogube, Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area, and the recovery of five AK-47 rifles, 552 rounds of live ammunition, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), several communication equipment, along with 8 operational motorcycles used by the group.
“Prior investigations had revealed the involvement of the group in several high-profile crimes, including the attack on the Owerri Correctional Center on April 5, 2021, the killing of five policemen in Umunna, Okigwe, on December 12, 2022, and the burning of Arondizuogu Police Station on February 8, 2022.
“The group was also involved in multiple kidnappings, including those of WAEC staff on June 5, 2023, four reverend sisters on August 21, 2022, and four Chinese nationals on December 6, 2023.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM., has commended the gallant operatives for their exceptional display of bravery and coordination.
“The IGP charges police operatives across commands and formations to sustain the tempo and implement the Force’s action plan aimed at reducing crimes drastically in the first quarter of the year 2025.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains unyielding in its goal towards ensuring national security and public safety.
“Members of the public are hereby urged to remain vigilant and work collaboratively with the Nigeria Police Force to promote peace and ensure a safer environment for all citizens.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Ezekiel Thankgod, the former manager of renowned gospel singer, Mercy Chinwo.
Biztellers reports that Thankgod is facing allegations of involvement in a $345,000 fraud case.
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The arrest warrant had been issued by Justice Alexander Owoeye of the Federal High Court on January 16, 2025, following an ex parte application by the EFCC seeking to compel Thankgod’s appearance in court.
During a court session on Friday, EFCC counsel, Mrs. Bilikisu Buhari, applied to withdraw the warrant, stating that the charges had already been served on Thankgod’s lawyer, Mr. Monday Ubani, SAN, during open court proceedings.
She argued that the warrant was no longer necessary.
Justice Owoeye granted the application and formally vacated the bench warrant.
Oba Otudeko, Chairman of Honeywell Group, appeared in the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday to challenge charges of N12.3 billion fraud.
Biztellers reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had filed a 13-count indictment against Otudeko, along with Olabisi Onasanya, former Managing Director of FirstBank Plc., Soji Akintayo, a former board member of Honeywell, and Anchorage Leisure Ltd.
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During the proceedings, the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Bode Olanipekun (SAN), raised an objection, stating that the charge had not been properly served to Otudeko or his co-defendants.
Olanipekun emphasized this issue as a reason for protest in court.
The EFCC has accused the individuals and the company of fraudulently obtaining N12.3 billion under false pretenses.
More to follow………..
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