[Abba Kyari]: Corruption In The Police System

Corruption within the Nigerian Police Force has been a major problem since its inception. The force seems to be losing its worth and respect daily, and Nigerians no longer trust the capability of those charged with the protection of their lives and properties. ayokinews.com report

On Monday, February 14, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) announced the arrest of DCP Abba Kyari, a prominent super cop who was declared WANTED by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

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Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Nigerian Police Force spokesman, stated that the arrest was an order from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba, following Kyari’s involvement in drug trafficking. He was arrested along with four other erring police officers.

Before his arrest, Kyari was serving a suspension as a result of his alleged involvement in a cyber-fraud case with Ramon Abass alias Ray Hushpuppi, an international fraudster, after being indicted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in mid-2021.

Members Of The Police Force And Criminal Activities

While the Nigerian Police Force has done its best in prosecuting and ridding off corrupt officers within the system, the organization is still yet to be free from the shackles of corruption. From the late 1980s to date, several criminal cases similar to Abba Kyari’s scandal had been rife within the force.

One of such famous cases was the one involving DSP George Iyamu, a high-ranking police officer who worked closely with the then fierce criminal, Lawrence Anini also known as ‘The Law’ or Ovbigbo in the 1980s.

Lawrence Anini committed several crimes during the 80s and was a prime figure in the vice world. Unknown to the masses, Anini had been secretly enjoying the backing of DSP George Iyamu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police at the time. Iyamu leaked vital police intelligence to Anini and also provided arms and ammunition for robbery operations.

Notably, Iyamu was compensated generously by the notorious criminal (Lawrence Anini) as this was evident in his extravagant life. He acquired a lot of material possessions that even his colleagues and senior officers could not afford.

Eventually, justice caught up with the duo and the truth was uncovered and both Lawrence Anini and George Iyamu were convicted. In February 1987, Justice James Omo-Agege sentenced the two crime elements to death along with other members of the underworld.

While the case of DCP Abba Kyari, has drawn the attention of the masses, it has also attracted several reactions and comparisons on social media.

Nigerians are yet to see if the end will parallel George Iyamu’s case or justice would be truncated in favor of Abba Kyari, as many believe.