By Chris Otaigbe
When the House of Representatives gave a standing ovation for Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari on Thursday, June 11, 2020, it was a rare mark of respect for a supercop who has proven to be Nigeria’s champion of anti-crime operations. A true hero, he turned out to be. If the legislators could remember the lyrics of Right Said Fred’s ‘Stand Up (for the Champion…)’, they would have sung in his honour.
Abba’s story is, to a large extent, true to the lyrics. From his exploits on the anti-crime field, he seems to assert the fact that he was built to be the best; number one and nothing less.
Left to his own destiny to hunt down criminals, anywhere in his country, the supercop waits patiently, believing in a vision that puts him at the forefront of ridding the nation of crime and criminalities, he counts only on himself.
In each of his heroic feats, there were moments, he got so close to his subject but had to let go, though he mostly wanted to strike at that instant. His wisdom and rare intelligence would have prevailed over anxiety, because he recognizes that, as humans, we have our strength and weaknesses. And that’s exactly how life is. On the battlefield, his style, skill and strength, show him off as one with a vision on the move, seeking a way to achieve his vision of zero criminality in his country.
More importantly, his acts of courage and valour in the dispensation of his job speak to the true spirit of the Nigerian in the Yobe-born Officer.
American Politician and Civil Rights Activist, Robert F. Kennedy (1925 – 1968), said, “It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”
With the skill of a dedicated and diligent servant, Abba has, through his many diverse heroic acts, shaped the history of crime fighting in Nigeria because he stood up for the ideals and acts that have improved the image of his corner of the Nigerian Police Force, working assiduously against injustice.
Ripples of his successes has built a current capable of tearing down the mightiest walls of crime and defiance by the deadliest of criminals.
It was these unrivalled accomplishments that prompted a grateful House of Representatives to host him as a mark of honour for his exceptional work in the fight against criminality across the country.
His conquest on the field was so strong and inspiring that it got the legislators to take a resolution based on a motion of urgent public importance brought by Rep. Ahmad Usman Jaha, from Borno, to give a befitting reception.
As Rep. Jaha put it, the resolve to recognize the young police officer was based on his extraordinary courage and patriotism in tackling high profile crimes.
Presiding over the plenary session, House Speaker, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila told his colleagues that having DCP Kyari in Thursday’s plenary is in line with the 9th Assembly’s legislative agenda of encouraging outstanding Nigerians who excel in their chosen fields of endeavour.
When the Speaker read the profile of the Officer and the exploits he has made as a young police officer, he was impressed, and thought natural, in line with the 9th Assembly legislative agenda and the practice of National Assembly to invite DCP Abba Kyari to be at the session to formally receive legislative commendation from the House of Nigerians.
Jaha’s motion had noted that DCP Kyari was among the very few outstanding young officers of the Nigerian Police as Officer Cadet.
“The young officer served in several states of the federation, including Adamawa in the North-East, and Lagos in the South-West. The gallant officer and his team recorded several successes in combating organized crime in Nigeria,” said Jaha.
Born on March 17, 1975, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari in the present day Yobe State. He joined the Nigeria Police in the year 2000 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
Meritoriously, he is the youngest Deputy Commissioner of Police. A real hero, Kyari never carries out his exploits for the cheers of the crowd. Real heroes risk their lives every day for the safety of others and that is exactly Abba Kyari’s passion.
One of his daring feats, included the rescue of the District Head of Daura, Alhaji Musa Umar-Uba, who was abducted on May 1, 2019, in his home town Daura, Katsina State, as reported in the July 4, 2019 edition of PM News
Leading the IGP Intelligence Response team, he successfully rescued the Emir on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, the operation was an additional feather to his cap.
Known as the nemesis of Nigerian criminals and desperadoes of different shades, Kyari has other 48 other exploits to his credit, making him one of the most effective supercops this side of the Atlantic.
In collaboration with his men and in concert with OC SIBs Kaduna and Niger States, he went to work for six weeks.
Through a web of high-level Intelligence, he led Operations in Kaduna, Bauchi, Niger, Katsina, Katsina and Kogi States.
In a surgically-executed operation, the Kano State Police Command, said the District Head of Daura was rescued unhurt by the IGP Intelligence Response Team in an operation conducted on Monday night in Kumbotso Local Government Area of the state.
His long list of successful crime bursts includes the arrest of:
• Nigeria’s most notorious Kidnap kingpin Billionaire Kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwaumadike Aka Evans in Lagos State and his gang members, now under prosecution.
• Killers of former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Air Marshal Alex Badeh ‘rtd’ along Keffi-Gitata Kaduna Road, under prosecution.
• Most wanted Boko-Haram Commander Umar Abdulmalik and Eight (8) of his Terrorists gang members, under investigation.
• Twenty-two (22) Boko-Haram Terrorist gang members responsible for the kidnap of the Chibok School Girls in 2014 and also responsible for series of suicide bombings/several attacks and ambush against Security Agents in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa States. Now under prosecution.
• The Deadliest Kidnapper in the History of Nigeria, Henry Chibueze Aka “Vampire” in Owerri, Imo State and his gang members, under prosecution.
• The Deadly Offa Bank robbers that invaded Offa Town, Kwara State and robbed five commercial Banks, the gang also murdered over Thirty-one (31) innocent Nigerians making it the deadliest Bank robbery in the history of Nigeria, under prosecution.
• Kidnappers who abducted a serving Assistant Comptroller of Customs in Port Harcourt, under prosecution.
• A syndicate of kidnappers, armed bandits and their sponsors in Zamfara State, after the gang had kidnapped the twin sisters before their wedding, under prosecution.
• Osama and gang of deadly armed robbers and murderers who escaped from lawful custody at the detention Facility of SARS Lokoja, Kogi State.
• The godfather/Grand Commander of Criminals in Kogi State, Notorious Assassin, Armed robber and Kidnapper Zakari Yau Of Kogi State. He has over 200-Armed youth under his Control including the Osama Mentioned above. Under Prosecution.
• Deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap/murder of Mr. John Iheanacho a staff of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC)/President of Eastern Zone Investment Cooperative Society Ltd, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Under Prosecution.
• Suspect responsible for the murder of Lieutenant Abubakar Yahaya Yusuf a serving Naval Officer and his girlfriend Miss. Lorraine Onye in Rivers State. Under Prosecution.
• Deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two South African Citizens in Kaduna State. Under Prosecution.
• The Terrorist responsible for the bombing of Kuje and Nyanya towns of Abuja and recovery of primed bombs in the FCT. Under Prosecution.
• Deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two Americans and two Canadians in Kaduna State. Under Prosecution.
• A Notorious Criminal who threaten to kill the Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar and his Family. Under Prosecution.
• The kidnappers of elder statesman Chief Olu Falae in Ondo State, Sentenced to Life imprisonment by Ondo State High Court.
• Gang of deadly killers responsible for the killing of several innocent persons in Benue State and recovery of their operational weapons, under prosecution.
• Notorious arms dealer who specializes in selling arms to armed robbers, kidnappers and politicians in South-West/recovery of over Fifty arms and thousands of life ammunitions. Under Prosecution.
• The most notorious armed robber in the South-West, Abiodun Egunjobi Aka “Godogodo” in Ibadan, Oyo State, he was responsible for the death of over Five hundred (500) innocent Nigerians & Police Officers. Under Prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of the Turkish School Girls in Ogun and Lagos States. Under Prosecution.
• The kidnappers/murderers of Barrister Sherif Yazid along Abuja-Kaduna Express road. Under Prosecution.
• Most the notorious kidnapping kingpin in Kogi State Halti Bello and twenty of his gang members, the gang had been terrorizing Kogi State and its environ for many years, who also kidnapped and murdered one Istifanus Gurama a senior staff of Dangote group. Under Prosecution.
• More than Twenty different gangs of kidnappers totalling over Three hundred (300) kidnappers and recovery of over Two hundred (200) AK47 rifles and other dangerous weapons used in terrorizing Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highways. Under Prosecution.
• Kidnappers/murderers of the Production Manager of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited Mr. Ubani Onyema ‘m’ 64 years old, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State. Under Prosecution.
• The most Notorious assassin in the South-west Ade Lawyer and his gang responsible for series of killings in various parts of Lagos State and South-west Nigeria, Under Prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Isheri Landlords in Lagos State. Under Prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Eighty year-old Chief Felix Ogbona in Aba, Abia State, under prosecution.
• Assassins and masterminds who gruesomely murdered Mr. Uba Emmanuel aka Onwa in Festac Town, Lagos State, Under Prosecution.
• Kidnappers of Dr. Alex Pepple in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Ikorodu School Girls in Lagos State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of CBN Governor’s wife in Delta State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Ambassador Bagudu Hirse in Kaduna State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Serrie Leonian Deputy High Commissioner in Kaduna State, under Prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of former Minister of Finance Okonjo Iweala’s Mother in Delta State, Under Prosecution.
• Niger-Delta militants planning to bomb 3rd Mainland bridge/recovery of arms and explosives in Lagos State, under prosecution.
• Niger Delta militants/notorious Kidnappers and recovery of GPMG, Ak 47 rifles and military grenades in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Under Prosecution.
• Notorious gang who planned to Kidnap Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola in Lagos State, under Prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Oniba of Iba, a first-class King in Lagos State, Sentenced to Death by Hanging by the Lagos State High Court.
• Kidnappers of Hon. Sani Bello member of House of Reps/representing Mashi Federal Constituency of Katsina State (now late), Under Prosecution.
• The Armed Robbers/Militants who attacked and robbed Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac and Agbara Banks in Ogun and Lagos State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of the three Orekoya’s Children in Lagos State, under prosecution.
• The Kidnappers of Former Chairman of Ejigbo LGA in Lagos State, under prosecution.
• Killers of Oyo State member of House of Assembly in Oyo State, under prosecution.
• The kidnappers and Killers of Reverend father Adeyi in Otukpo Benue State, Sentenced to Death by Benue State High Court.
• Kidnappers of Alhaji Salami and many other victims in Abuja, under Prosecution.
• Five Kidnappers of Channel Television Staff in Abuja. Under investigation.
• The kidnappers of two (2) ABTI American University of Nigeria Female Students in Abuja, under Prosecution.
• The attackers of Nimbo Community in Enugu State, which resulted to many deaths. Under Prosecution.
• Rescue of Magajin Garin Daura from Kidnappers in Kano State and Arrest of 13 of the Kidnappers/Terrorist, Under Investigation.
• A Notorious Southwest Kidnap Kingpin Abubakar Mohd Aka Buba and his Gang members In Oyo State. Under investigation.
• The deadliest Kidnapper in the Southwest Abdullahi Abubakar aka Osama and his Group in Ekiti State. Under investigation.
• Adamu Umoru aka Dabo and Group. He is one of the Kingpins Of Abuja-Kaduna expressway Kidnappers Responsible for Kidnapping Dr Mahmoud Chairman UBEC, killing his Driver and also many other kidnappings and killings along the Expressway. Under investigation.
• Usman Mohd and group of Kidnappers Responsible for kidnapping the Son of the immediate past Minister of Health in Oyo State and many other kidnappings in the Southwest, under investigation.
• Tony Raphael aka Chairman and his group, he is a Kidnap Kingpin Terrorizing Rivers State. Under investigation.
• Abdullahi Sani and his group responsible for the kidnapping of the Mother in-law of Governor Masari of Katsina State. Under investigation.
• Notorious Kidnapper Isa Abdullahi aka Biyi and his Gang Responsible for Several kidnappings and killing in Katsina State. Under investigation.
• Gbenga Ojomo the most Notorious illegal arms and ammunition Smuggler in Nigeria, responsible for smuggling thousands of rifles and ammunition from Libya and Burkina Faso to Nigeria. Over 50 Rifles and thousands of Ammunitions recovered from him and his group. Under investigation.
• Sunday Abel aka School boy and his deadly Gang of Kidnappers terrorizing the Southeast, responsible for kidnapping and killing Of a Serving American Soldier on vacation in Imo State and many other kidnappings and killings in the Southeast. Under investigation.
• Cajetan Otti and group of notorious kidnappers terrorizing Abia State and recovery of several rifles. Under investigation.
For this string of daring conquests of the deadliest criminals in the country, Kyari has been appreciated with many awards in recognition of his substantial contribution to crime control and eradication in Nigeria.
The awards include:
Triple IGP Commendation Medal for courage 2012, 2013, 2014.
Triple Lagos State Governor’s award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service excellence 2011, 2012, 2013.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for courage 2011
Best Anti-Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa.
Star Award from CRAN 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017, 2018, 2019.
Star Award for Outstanding Gallantry in Africa 2018 by Security watch Africa.
Africa’s Best Detective of the Year 2018.
The best Police officer of the Decade Award.
2018 Hero of the year Award by Silverbird Group.
Presidential medal for courage from President Muhammadu Buhari on 1/4/2016.
Clearly, Kyari has done more than mere mortals can do to deserve the standing ovation given in his honour at plenary.
Beyond the awards, accolades and the standing ovation, the Kyari’s impact can better be appreciated on the relief he brings to victims and their families each time he arrests these notorious criminals. To the extent of the pain felt by victims, the impact he makes on the country as a whole each time he brings down high profile criminals cannot be overemphasized.
In a Nigeria that has virtually resigned herself to the terrorizing fate of corruption, criminals have become more daring because they have the support of some of the high and mighty. This has largely scared off most members of the Force from going after the criminals who are in many instances better kitted with sophisticated weapons. So, the emergence of a Kyari as the man who goes after the big fishes and gets them arrested has proved right the words American Novelist and Journalist, Mark Twain (1835 – 1910), who said “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear, not absence of fear.”
Certainly, Kyari’s courage come from agreeing with Ambrose Redmoon (1933 – 1996), an American Writer, who said “Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather, the judgment that something else is more important than fear. Kyari recognizes that he cannot submit to fear because the courage to rid the country of her collective fear by going after and bringing down high profile criminals is an ideal that is bigger than him. This trait, thus, defines him, in the words of Joseph Campbell (1904 – 1987), an American Writer and Lecturer, who said, “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.”
