In 2024, a robbery worth over ₦700 million in gold jewellery at the home of a senior Nigerian police officer sent ripples through the Force — and has now landed Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Bukola Yemisi Kuti in the middle of a growing storm.
Kuti, currently the Principal Staff Officer 3 (PSO 3) to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, has faced weeks of internal controversy over what some officers describe as an “unusually fast” career climb — a journey many insiders say is tied to her personal closeness to the police chief.
From Junior Officer to ACP in a Decade
In a profession where it often takes two decades to rise to the rank of ACP, Kuti reportedly reached the milestone in just 10 years. According to multiple senior sources, most of her peers from the same recruitment year are still Superintendents of Police (SPs).
“This kind of career progression is almost unheard of unless there’s special favour involved,” one officer told SaharaReporters.
The recent round of promotions approved by the Police Service Commission, which allegedly included 37 names handpicked by the IGP, has faced delays after internal uproar over ethnic bias and cronyism. Kuti’s leap — from Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) to ACP in a matter of months — was a key flashpoint.
The Robbery at Lugbe
The gold theft at the heart of the controversy took place in late April 2024. Initial whispers linked it to the IGP’s own residence, but police spokesperson ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi later clarified it happened at the home of “a police officer attached to the Force Headquarters” in Abuja’s Lugbe district.
That officer was Bukola Kuti.
According to petitions sent to Amnesty International, burglars allegedly broke into her home, overpowered an occupant, and made away with gold, money, documents, and valuables. CCTV footage reportedly captured one of the suspects, later identified as Alhaji Auwal, who was traced to Wuse Market in Abuja.
Police say the gold was sold through a network of merchants and middlemen. The Intelligence Response Team (IRT) launched a sweeping operation — and arrested 26 people, including gold traders, POS operators, and even a tailor.
Allegations of Torture and Extortion
While the Force insists the suspects were lawfully arrested under court orders, Amnesty International received a disturbing account from traders who claim they were beaten, hung, and extorted in custody.
One merchant, Alhaji Amin Sarkin, alleges he was handcuffed, his shop looted of goods worth over ₦100 million, and forced to pay millions in “settlement” after his assistants unknowingly bought stolen gold worth ₦3 million.
Another, Nuhu Usman, claims he was tortured and ordered — allegedly by Kuti herself — to pay ₦11 million for gold he had purchased for ₦6 million. His bank account was reportedly drained of ₦13 million by operatives.
The petition also described a tailor from Rigasa, Kaduna, who had merely known the main suspect — but ended up in a coma after severe beatings at the IRT office.
Police Deny Abuse, Confirm Investigation
The police have pushed back strongly against the torture allegations. In a detailed statement, they confirmed the robbery, the suspects’ arrests, and the Wuse Market connection — but denied any illegal conduct.
They say the suspects are part of a larger cartel dealing in stolen jewellery across the FCT and will face charges once investigations are complete.
Still, the petition’s unanswered question lingers:
“Who really owned the stolen gold — the IGP, his wife, or Bukky Kuti?”
This case has become more than just a burglary investigation — it’s now a litmus test for police accountability, internal ethics, and human rights in Nigeria’s law enforcement.
