Abba Kyari, Nigeria’s Number 1 Crime Fighter Gets Promotion

Abba Kyari, Nigeria’s Number 1 Crime Fighter Gets Promotion

At 41, Abba Kyari is not just the youngest high-ranking police officer in Nigeria, but one of the most hardworking.

Now heading the Inspector-General of Police Special Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the police officer now has a reason to celebrate. He has been promoted to the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).

Kyari, a 1997 Geography graduate of the University of Maiduguri, made the announcement on Thursday, December 29, 2016 when he wrote on social media: “Glory be to Almighty God and sincere apprecition to IGP Ibrahim Idris, the Police Service Commission, my family, friends and well-wishers.

“I have been Promoted to the prestigious rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police based on IGP’s recommendation for Gallantry, Exceptional and Superlative Performance.

“At 41 years, I am the youngest Assistant Commissioner of police in Nigeria today. Please join me to celebrate this great moment.”

The promotion letter was approved by the Police Service Commission (PSC) and dated December 16, 2016.

The letter said Kyari merited the new rank because of his hardwork, discipline and dedication to duty.

Kyari’s step to his new position however is believed to have the imprint of former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase, who moved him from Lagos to head the unit of the police.

As head of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos, Kyari became heavily celebrated for the strategies he adopted in crime prevention in the state.

The police officer who had his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Akwa Ibom State in 1998 and joined the Nigeria Police Force as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 2000, won many cases against criminals. One of such was the rescue of some kidnapped school children in the Ikorodu area of Lagos. He was celebrated by the state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode and Nigerians after the students regained freedom.

Apart from his success in Lagos as head of SARS for over four years, Kyari brought to justice Abbey Godogodo, the notorious robber and assassin that terrorized South West Nigeria for over 10 years. He also led the team that helped when the mother of Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, then finance minister was abducted in Ogwuashi-Uku in Delta state. Jide Ojo, better known as Marvelous, Buhari Hamadola, Hassan Oseni, Micheal Ojeabulu,Endurance Eke and Ibrahim Abubakar were all arrested.

He was linked to the arrest of Olanrewaju John, also called Pastor, Okunola Saheed and Saheed Adekunle after they attacked a bureau de change in the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, in 2013. He apprehended most of the Niger Delta militants to robbed a new generation bank in Lekki Phase 1 Lagos a fews years ago.

As a result of his hard work, Kyari has won many awards including the IGP Commendation Award for Courage 2012, 2013, 2014. He has also won the Governor’s Award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service excellence 2011, 2012, 2013.

Seen as a major force in the institution, Arase was said to have moved him to Abuja to head the new unit he established. This, a source told NAIJ.com on Thursday, December 29, also exposed him to more successes and expanded his scope of duties to the nation.

Emeka Opara, one of his admirers, describes him as a very shy guy.

“Abba wouldn’t talk about his work and how he does it, but his men and people who have come across him would attest to the fact that his best attribute is that he sees himself as a team leader and not a boss in the discharge of his duties and co-ordination of men and resources to fight crime and criminals.

“One of his boys told me that: ‘OC is a whiz kid. He is too much. He understands technology and uses it to track down criminals. Also, he is a leader. He motivates us his men. We eat and drink with him. He attends our weddings, birthdays and naming ceremonies of our children and funeral of our relatives. In short, he is like a brother to us and leads from the front. He is always there for us and even teaches us how to key into technology while doing our work. In short, the OC is wonderful’.”

For his dedication to duty, courage and gallantry we definitely recommend Abba Kyari and the late Lt Col Mohammed Abu Ali for National Honors this year. We are optimistic that the regime of President Muhammadu Buhari will do the needful in recognizing selfless services to the nation and humanity.