Abba Kyari: The Diary of a Super cop.
By
Abdullahi D Mohammed





Call him Nigeria's Jack Bauer, the celebrated fictional character in the now rested American hit/action series, 24, you wouldn't be wrong. Better still, he could be likened to a more real-life character, a crime fighter -- the legendary American super cop, Elliott Ness. These are routinely, some comparisons by Nigerians in describing the country's No.1 crime-burster, DCP Abba Kyari. Known for his youthful demeanor, agility, and resolve to burst any Crime, no matter its intricacy, Kyari, became the darling of law-abiding Nigerians and a nemesis or nightmare of the criminally minded.

The Borno-born cop, came to limelight with his celebrated exploits in bursting high profile cases of kidnapping and criminality in the country. The composition of the IGP-IRT unit, which, was ostensibly launched to tackle the spate of Killings and rising cases of kidnapping across the country was welcomed by all. Any knotty or high profile crime, the authorities look to Kyari, and, he seldom disappoints. His magnificent policing skills, using both technology and unconventional methods had been a subject of intense debate, especially among security analysts. Some consider him too showy, in a job requiring utmost secrecy. He, they argue, was much of a media man, always rushing to display to the world his achievements and successes, making him insanely exhibitionist, rather than the quietude known for intelligence related job like his.

As a rule, every individual, in his chosen profession cultivates or clinged to what works for him. In Kyari's case, his showiness has indeed, so far worked for him, perfectly, until he begins to frolick with the stupendously wealthy folks, without any verifiable source of income.

US court documents, which provided FBI's damning report on Kyari's association with Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka, Hushpuppi, came to many as a shock. Like a thunderbolt, the impact was deafening. More so, because, most individuals and institutions do not question his impeccabilty and prowessed accomplishments in crime-bursting.

Without any verifiable source of income, Hushpuppi, before his arrest was "wealth" himself, living in extraordinary opulence. He practically had young Nigerians falling over themselves to use his moniker, as a show of reverence. Before the bubble burst, he arrogantly deny any involvement in crime, claiming to be into real estate business, in far away Malaysia. When his fellow Nigerian internet sensation, Mustapha "Mompha" was picked by the EFCC, on charges of fraud, Hushpuppi boasted on his Instagram page, that Never will he be arrested,as his hands were clean,and does only "legit".
But, there's a caveat. It could be excusable if persons outside security or intelligence circle believe a shade of what he claimed. Certainly, most will disagree. In retrospect, could someone of Kyari's status and standing, who I believe, consistently had course to work closely with the FBI, at some point, not be aware of Hushpuppi's source of lavish lifestyle?

Seemingly, the FBI report proved otherwise, thus; Mr Kyari, a deputy commissioner of police, is alleged to have conspired with Hushpuppi, together with others known and unknown to the grand jury, KNOWINGLY, conspired to commit wire fraud, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1343. This proved, our heroic Kyari had a case to answer. He needs to do more,than the simple, and vague rebuttal on Facebook.

The highpoint of the report, which seems to nail Mr Kyari, went further thus; Kyari, a highly decorated deputy commissioner of the Nigerian Police Force who is alleged to have arrange for Vincent (Abbas's rival in crime) to be arrested and jailed, and later sent Abbas photograph of Vincent arrest. Thereafter, Kyari also allegedly sent Abbas bank account details, into which Abbas could deposit payment for Vincent's arrest and imprisonment.
The US authorities seeks Kyari's extradition to face charges or have his name cleared. Authorities of the Nigerian Police,had through its spokesperson ordered investigation into the weighty allegations. It was reported that, some FBI agents besieged the IGP office inorder to facilitate the arrest and extradition of Mr Kyari.

Inherently, there are lessons for both individuals and institutions. Policing and good governance in the country has been on a steady decline. The Police are underfunded, and endemic corruption thrive, freely within its rank and file. It has become the symbol of brutality. Personnel's welfare are neglected, renumeration and other benefits, delayed, or outrightly denied. Such impulsively resulted in graft. To have an effective policing in the country, these factors, must be taken into account, and rapid transformations adopted, to enhance professionalism.

FBI agents are humans, more like NPF. What the FBI can do, the NPF, with grit can effortlessly replicate that. Incongruously, while one is fully funded and highly professionalize, the other is grossly underfunded, which slowed attainment of professionalism. The FBI operates smoothly, and painstakingly take years of meticulous investigation to produce a water tight evidence, enough to nail a culprit. On a flip side, Nigeria's is usually media trial, sensationalism and torture by misguided and unprofessional police officers. Nigerian Police can be to Nigeria, what FBI is, to the US.

Individually, lessons within the context of Kyari's saga borders on integrity. Because, it is the heart of character, which people don't seem to lose it, easily. Mr Kyari come off as a man of immense integrity, and very professional, inspite of handful of allegations of complicity in the torture and extortion of suspected criminals. And, these are unfounded, and could be dismissed as a cheap attempt at blackmail and character assassination, especially from criminal elements. After all, you can't fight crime of this magnitude, and expect not to be subject of attacks and blackmail.

The FBI's report, has dent whatever integrity and reverence, Nigerians had for Mr Kyari. Yet, his accomplishments, heroism in bursting crime cannot be denied. But, the question remains, how has he been doing that! Does the IRT unit, which he coordinated received exclusive and specialized training, or an open vault within which funds were drawn from easily? In other words, who funds the IRT? These are salient questions begging for answers. Because, for a Force notoriously known for withholding and denying funds meant for its personnel, one begs to differ. The thinking is, Mr Kyari could be using funds and proceeds from Hushpuppi and Co. to finance his sophisticated crime-bursting IRT unit for vainglory and self-importance. With every success, he gets promoted, appreciated, elevated and celebrated. Such motivation is enough to send one to the overdrive. The Nigeria House of Representatives had, during plenary, in June, 2020 honoured DCP Abba Kyari for exceptional service of crime-fighting in the country. Such recommendations and honours are enough to spur any individual to go extra mile and do more in his chosen endeavor. Whether Kyari's frolicking with fraudsters was to finance and "up his game" in crime-fighting remain to be seen, atleast in the coming days.
Having worked closely with the FBI and Interpol, he has little reason not to submit himself to the US authorities for questioning.

In the report, so far, he was not indicted for a specific crime, other than receiving bribe from Hushpuppi for jailing Vincent, his partner in crime. Though, that has not diminished the gravity of the crime and embarrassment to the country.

The saga had, and will continue to elicit mixed reaction across the country. while some are openly jubilant, specifically those with scores to settle, by reasons know to them. Others however, are sombre and downcast at the ordeal of the super Cop.

World over, there are good, as well as bad, or dirty cops in virtually all units in the force. Most often, these traits are Inherently part of policing. Fundamentally, that should not take the shine off a brave cop who does a tremendous job protecting hapless citizens.

Kyari's case is profoundly in the court of public opinion, at least, in the country. Divergent verdicts or views had taken up the space. But, the ultimate verdicts rest with the US authorities as he continued to deny any involvement or wrong doing.

With Kyari's suspension by the Police authorities, pending the outcome of the investigation, the best we could do is wait for nuanced resolution of the saga.
At the moment, it is difficult to tell if it will be the story of, the Rise and fall of super cop, Abba Kyari.


Abdullahi D Mohammed is with the Department of Political Science and International Studies at the Ahmadu Bello University-Zaria. He writes from Kano
abdullahkidnyce@gmail.com

Amazing writeup!!