I have never met Abba Kyari, but by the benefit of hindsight, he is not an ordinary person. I say this with profound equanimity and deep insight into Policing in Nigeria. If you want to know a character, you will focus on what he says, what he does, what other people say about him, and his appearance.
No man is indeed perfect. The United States Federal Bureau of Investigations will reckon that the fugitive in the Movie ” Catch Me If you Can” (which is a re-enactment of a true-life story in America) is now their Agent bursting crimes for the FBI all around the World. They Will not tell you this.
Make no mistake about this -Abba Kyari is Hero in the true sense of it, just like any hero he may have his hubris, but one thing you can not take away from him as I have been reliably informed from an unimpeachable source and also from my observation of issues, is his tenacity of purpose, knack for results, goal getting charm and amiable mien that has bestowed him with an extensive national intelligence network that is akin to a labyrinth.
My Father -Richard Akudike Ogbankwa of blessed memory was a Police Officer, as a matter of fact, he was among the best marksmen in the Police in his time as he was even an orderly to Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa. He told me an awful lot about the Police. From what I know, Abba Kyari is actually a magician by his results.
Abba Kyari is one of our best and he has risked his life and times to burst the most heinous crimes in Nigerian History. He deserves accolades and not reprimand.He may have made mistakes, but we should throw away the baby with the bath water.
My father said:
It is from the “mess”, you know the taste of “shit”.
We all know what all these troublers is all about. I say no more.
I take a stand on issues based on conviction, not caring whose ox is gored. While researching on this article, I came across an amazing trail of achievements of crime bursting pedigree of Abba Kyari, which in my estimation is unparalleled and worth sharing as follows:
0. “Awards Of DCP Abba Kyari, Africa’s Best Detective…
1. Africa’s Best Detective Of the Year 2018.
2. The best Police officer of the Decade Award
2018 HERO of the year Award by Silverbird Group.
3. Presidential medal for courage from President Mohammadu Buhari on 1/4/2016.
4. Triple IGP Commendation Medal for courage 2012, 2013, 2014.
5. Triple Lagos State Governor’s award for Gallantry, Leadership & Service excellence 2011, 2012, 2013.
6. Lagos State Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for courage 2011
Best Anti-Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa.
7. Star Award from CRAN 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017.
8. Star Award for Outstanding Gallantry In Africa 2018 by Security watch Africa.
9. Award for Outstanding Service to the Nation from the National House of Representatives. Plus many many other awards that are too numerous to mention.
He has led Several Covert Operations of Many High Profile Cases across Nigeria that includes
1. Arrest of Nigeria’s most notorious Kidnap kingpin Billionaire Kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwaumadike Aka Evans in Lagos State & his Gang members,
2. Arrest of the killers of former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) Air Marshal Alex Badeh ‘rtd’ along Keffi-Gitata Kaduna Road,
3. Arrest of the most wanted Boko-Haram Commander Umar Abdulmalik & eight of his terrorist gang members,
4. Arrest of Twenty-two (22) Boko-Haram Terrorist gang members responsible for the kidnap of the Chibok School Girls in 2014 & also responsible for series of suicide bombings/several attacks & ambush against Security Agents in Borno, Yobe & Adamawa States.
5. Captured the Most Deadly Kidnapper in the History of Nigeria, Henry Chibueze Aka “Vampire” in Owerri, Imo State & his gang members,
6. Arrest of the Deadly Offa Bank robbers that invaded Offa Town, Kwara State & robbed five commercial Banks, the gang also murdered over Thirty-one innocent Nigerians Making it the deadliest Bank Robbery in the History Of Nigeria.
7. Arrest of kidnappers who kidnapped a serving Assistant Comptroller of Customs In Port Harcourt,
8. Arrest of a syndicate of kidnappers, armed bandits, and their sponsors in Zamfara State, after the gang had kidnapped the twin sisters before their wedding,
9. Arrest of deadly armed robbers & murderers who escaped from lawful custody at the SARS Lokoja, Kogi State,
10. Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap/murder of Mr. John Iheanacho a staff of NNPC/President of Eastern Zone Investment Co-operative Society Ltd, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,
11. Arrest of a suspect responsible for the murder of Lieutenant Abubakar Yahaya Yusuf a serving Naval Officer & his girlfriend Miss. Lorraine Onye in Rivers State,
12. Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two South African Citizens in Kaduna State,
13. Arrest of the Terrorist responsible for the bombing of Kuje & Nyanya towns of Abuja & recovery of primed bombs in the FCT,
14. Arrest of deadly kidnappers responsible for the kidnap of two Americans and two Canadians in Kaduna State,
15. Arrest of a Notorious Criminal who threatens to Kill the Former Vice President of Nigeria Atiku Abubakar & his Family.
16. Arrest of the kidnappers of elder statesman Chief Olu Falae in Ondo State,
17. Arrest of the gang of deadly killers responsible for the killing of several innocent persons in Benue State & recovery of their operational weapons,
18. Arrest of notorious arms & dealer who specializes in selling arms to armed robbers, kidnappers & Politicians in South-West/recovery of over Fifty arms & thousands of life ammunitions,
19. Arrest of 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,
20. Arrest of the Kidnappers of the Turkish School Girls in Ogun & Lagos States,
21. Arrest of the kidnappers/murderers of Barr. Sherif Yazid along Abuja-Kaduna Express road,
22. Arrest of most notorious kidnapping kingpin in Kogi State Halti Bello & twenty of his gang members, the gang had been terrorizing Kogi State & its environ for many years, who also kidnapped & murdered one Istifanus Gurama a senior staff of Dangote group,
23. Arrest of more than Fifteen different gangs of kidnappers totaling over Three hundred kidnappers & recovery of over Two hundred AK47 rifles & other dangerous weapons used in terrorizing Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Highways,
24. Arrest of kidnappers/murderers of the has Production Manager of Niger Delta Petroleum Resources Limited Mr. Ubani Onyema ‘m’ 64 years old, in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,
25. Arrest of the most notorious assassin in the South-west Ade Lawyer & his gang responsible for series of killings in various parts of Lagos State & South-western Nigeria,
26. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Isheri Landlords in Lagos State,
27. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Eighty years old Chief Felix Ogbona in Aba, Abia State,
28. Arrest of assassins & masterminds who gruesomely murdered Mr. Uba Emmanuel aka Onwa in Festac Town, Lagos State,
29. Arrest of kidnappers of Dr. Alex Pepple in P-H, Rivers State,
30. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Ikorodu School Girls in Lagos State,
31. Arrest of the Kidnappers of CBN Governor’s wife in Delta State,
32. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Amb. Bagudu Hirse in Kaduna State,
33. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Serrie Leonian Deputy High Commissioner in Kaduna State,
34. Arrest of the Kidnappers of former Minister of Finance Okonjo Iweala’s mother in Delta State,
35. Arrest of Niger-Delta militants planning to bomb 3rd Mainland bridge/recovery of arms & explosives in Lagos State,
36. Arrest of Niger Delta militants/notorious Kidnappers & recovery of GPMG, Ak 47 rifles & military grenades in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State,
37. Arrest of the notorious gang who planned to Kidnap Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola in Lagos State,
38. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Oniba of Iba a 1st class King in Lagos State,
39. Arrest of kidnappers of Hon. Sani Bello member of House of Reps/representing Mashi Fed. The constituency of Katsina State (now late),
40. Arrest of the Armed Robbers/Militants who attacked & robbed Lekki, Ikorodu, Festac & Agbara Banks in Ogun & Lagos State,
41. Arrest of the Kidnappers of the three Orekoya’s Children in Lagos State,
42. Arrest of the Kidnappers of Former Chairman of Ejigbo LGA in Lagos State,
43. Arrest of Killers of Oyo State member, House of Assembly in Oyo State,
44. Arrest of the kidnappers & Killers of Reverend father Adeyi in Otukpo Benue State,
45. Arrest of Kidnappers of Alhaji Salami in Abuja,
46. Arrest of the kidnappers of two ABTI American Univ. of Nigeria Female Students in Abuja,
47. Arrest of the attackers of Nimbo Community in Enugu State & many more breakthroughs that are too numerous to mention.
48. He Fought Armed Robbery, Kidnapping & other Violent Crimes in Lagos State to a standstill during his five years as OC SARS Lagos State from 2010-2015.
He recorded tremendous successes across the Nation as the Deputy Commissioner of Police In-charge of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT).Talk is cheap .I rate people by their action ,not their words .He is not an OC that stays inside AC.He likes Action and he combats Crime.
He is a courageous officer who believes in T. Blauer’s words “never let fear, pride or ego dictate your next battle plan”.
In his many battles with the underworld, “he looks at the tenacity, the will, and the indignation that propels his action against them”.
With out any prejudice to this subject, I have always been a proponent of making a bad man good & a good man better. Abba Kyari is a good man, let us not destroy our best and elevate our worst.If Lawrence Anini , the dreaded armed robber was an American , he would not have been killed .They would have integrated into convert operations and Black Ops .Give it to Abba Kyari , he knows his onions .When you are an asset to a system, some also see you as a threat.Every genius has his or her demons You don’t kill the genius , you manage his or her demons .
About the Author:
Douglas Ogbankwa Esq, @ douglasogbankwa@gmail.com, Nigerian Lawyer, Writer and Policy Analyst is the Co-ordinator of the National Movement for the Actualisation of Good Governance (NAMAGG) , the Convener of the Security Situation Room and the President of the Benin Writers’ Society.
