Abba Kyari, the once-glamorous doyen of the Nigeria Police, has indeed fallen lower than grass in a fast decline into ignominy. About a week ago, the Attorney General of the Federation mused about the possibility of his extradition to the United States to face charges levelled against him by the FBI.
Not a few Nigerians were surprised by that announcement. Popular opinion on the streets was that the super cop, aided by corrupt powers in the government, would escape extradition and probably escape justice with just a harmless slap on the wrist. I have no reason to doubt the trend of popular opinion considering our national antecedents in glorifying favoured criminals. Some criminals have even ended up enjoying honours heaped on them by their equally corrupt cronies in power. This is what we have to accept as citizens of a country where corruption thrives with shameless energy.
In a queer twist, Abba Kyari made the headlines again on Monday, 14th February 2022, after being declared wanted and subsequently arrested for drug-related charges. We understand that along with some of his cronies in the force, he is resting in NDLEA cells and answering some questions. Interrogation should be familiar ground for the suspended cop. As a Deputy Commissioner of Police, he should be comfortable chatting with the drug enforcement boys. I wonder how he would explain that damning video. Anyway, kudos to Buba Marwa and the NDLEA for that fantastic piece of evidence! At least, it would make it foolhardy for any ethnic pressure group to allege victimisation of Kyari this time around.
Now, enough about Kyari as a person and as a cop. We already know enough about him to write a PhD thesis. What deeply worries me is how Nigerians view issues. Many analyses and stories are currently making the rounds on social media, but no one seems to address the more worrisome matters about the Nigeria Police.
I know there are some upright and highly professional officers who are helpless against the tide of massive corruption and the absence of professionalism that continually smears the organisation. However, the reality of corruption among the majority makes me shudder.
Please can someone tell me how a suspended officer of the Nigeria Police was able to lead a sting operation to arrest a drug trafficker using the force’s resources? For heaven’s sake, this operation was carried out in an international airport.
I think the command structure of the IRT and, indeed, the discipline of the Nigeria Police is suspect right now. Who is in charge of the men of the IRT? How are commands issued and operations approved in that so-called elite unit of the force? In what capacity did Kyari and his illegal team hand over the suspected trafficker to the NDLEA in the first instance? Who is unaware that Kyari has been suspended and cannot be involved in operations? It is sad to observe such impudence and disregard for authority.
It is only in Nigeria that such an absurdity can occur. Nobody has been responsible enough to accept incompetence and resign from positions that have oversight responsibilities in the organisation. Sadly, in Nigeria, citizens would feed their minds with the irrelevancies of matters like these and forget to ask the right questions and demand answers. Eventually, it would be treated as a joke, and nothing would happen until the next story makes the news. Disgraceful stories keep piling on each other like the layers of an onion, stifling common sense and sound reasoning. What a society we are building for future generations!
Reno Omokri, former presidential aide and award-winning writer, has warned us about the sudden turn of events concerning Abba Kyari. He said it might be possible that this whole tale is just a ruse and an attempt to forestall the eventual extradition of Kyari to the United States to face charges over his involvement with Hushpuppi. I am not able to dismiss this as a wild allegation. I can only agree that Kyari is in the firm grip of ill-luck (could it be revenge) or acting out a role, as suggested by Reno.
Meanwhile, as usual, what can I do? I am watching unfolding events like everyone else. I grab a bag of popcorn and wait to see the end. I bet you the end will be stranger than the beginning.
