Embattled Abba Kyari marks 47th birthday in NDLEA custody

Suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, who is currently in custody of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) marks his 47th birthday today.

According to his Facebook profile, Kyari was born on “March 17, 1975.”

He was admitted into the Police Academy Wudil, Kano State, in 2000 and graduated as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). He was posted to Adamawa State Police Command for his one-year mandatory attachment and served at the Song Police Division.

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From an ASP, Kyari rose through the ranks to become DCP and head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team headquartered in Abuja. He was dubbed ‘super cop’ for his exploits in tracking down high-profile criminals, including now convicted Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike aka Evans.

Things however went south for the former head of the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Lagos State Police Command) last year when he was linked to a $1.1m wire fraud involving a notorious internet fraudster, Raman Abass aka Hushppupi, who is currently facing charges of money laundering at the United States.

In February 2021, the US District Court for the Central District of California ordered the Federal Bureau of Intelligence to arrest Kyari, who denied the allegations in a Facebook post he later deleted.

While he was on suspension and the outcome of the late DIG Joseph Egbunike-led investigation panel was being reviewed, Kyari was declared wanted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency for his alleged involvement in a 25kg cocaine deal.

The agency released a video clip of Kyari in a vehicle where he was seen negotiating the deal with an NDLEA officer and offering him the sum of $61,400 cash in bribe. He was consequently arrested and detained.

As he awaited his fate on March 15 when the fundamental human rights enforcement suit he filed would be heard by Justice Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, initiated his extradition to the US on March 2.

Barely 24 hours later, the NDLEA filed an eight-count charge bordering on drug trafficking against him and others, including ACP Sunday Ubia, ASP Bawa James, Insp. Simon Agirigba and Insp. John Nuhu, who are IRT members.

They were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on March 7. On Monday, March 14 when Kyari reappeared in court, his wife slumped after the court ordered that he should be returned to the NDLEA custody till March 28 when his bail application will be heard.