Abba Kyari (born March 17, 1975, Age: 49 Years Old) is a Nigerian suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police and former head of the IGP Intelligence who became very popular following his reported involvement with popular alleged fraudster Ramon Abbas “Hushpuppi”.
Abba Kyari, until the fall of July 2021, was a hero, super cop, and Nigeria’s Jack Bauer. He fought criminals in the many States of Nigeria and was responsible for the arrest of top Boko Haram commander Umar Abdulmalik, notorious kidnapper Evans alongside bandits, robbers, and more than 50 other cases. The recently suspended Deputy Commissioner of police won numerous awards for his contributions to fighting crime in Nigeria and soon rose to become a celebrity policeman who would mingle with many other celebrities such as Davido and Obi Cubana, among others.
Amidst his being celebrated for his duties, he recently has drawn attention to himself as a corrupt cop in the middle of the coils of Hushpuppi – one of the biggest international fraudsters who was arrested in 2020 and pleaded guilty for many charges in a United States’ court. Abba Kyari is now suspended from the police force and indicted by U.S Authorities for allegedly receiving a bribe of ₦8M from Hushpuppi.
Profile Summary
- Full Name: Alhaji Abba Kyari
- Age: 49 Years Old
- Date of Birth: March 17, 1975
- Place of Birth: Maiduguri, Borno State
- Education: University of Maiduguri
- Occupation: Policeman. Former DCP (Suspended)
Abba Kyari Hails From Borno State, Nigeria
Abba Kyari, who shares the same name with late and former Nigeria’s chief of staff, was born into a polygamous home as the oldest son among 30 children. He belongs to the Kanuri ethnicity and hails from Borno State in the Northeast geopolitical zone of Nigeria.
He had a rough childhood and was raised by his stepmother after his mother left when he was 7 years old. Later, some of the stepmothers left living him as the oldest son to care for about 12 children. Abba’s parents were not rich; hence, he had already started riding a motorcycle to make ends meet when he was in secondary school.
At the age of 17, he gained admission into the University of Maiduguri to study Geography. As a student, he did menial jobs, including selling fuel in the black market.
His Career As A Policeman and How He Became One Of The Youngest DCPs in Nigeria
Growing up, Kyari had the dream of becoming either a policeman or a pilot. Since it was expensive to train to become a pilot, he joined the police force, where he trained at the Police Academy Wudil, Kano. On May 1, 2000, he became a policeman with the Assistant Superintendent of Police rank.
At the age of 43, in 2018, about 18 years following his becoming a policeman, Abba Kyari was promoted to become a deputy police commissioner to make him the second in Nigeria to hold the record at such a young age and years since he joined the force. He served in many states, including Adamawa, where he met his wife, with whom he has many children. He also served in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The former DCP served many positions in his years of service. These include Unit Commander, Officer-in-Charge of the scrabbed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Assistant Commissioner of Police, and Inspector General of Police‘s Intelligent Response Team. In the many years of his career, he was able to aid in the arrest of many criminals in Nigeria like Chukwudidumeme Evans Onuamadike, among other notorious criminals.
For his contributions to the Nigerian Police Force, he was awarded several times.
Some of his awards include:
- The House of Representatives honored him for his exceptional service in the fight against criminality (2021).
- The Security Watch Africa Star Award for Outstanding Gallantry in Africa (2018)
- HERO of the Year Award by Silverbird Group (2018).
- Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari awarded him a presidential medal for courage (2016).
- He won the Inspector-General of Police Commendation Medal for Courage in three consecutive years (2012, 2013, 2014).
- The Lagos State Governor’s Award for Gallantry, Leadership, and Service Excellence (2011, 2012, 2013).
- Seven Star Awards from CRAN in 7 consecutive years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017).
- Lagos State Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage 2011.
Abba Kyari’s Case With Hushpuppi And How He Suddenly Became ‘The Dirtiest’ Cop in Nigeria
He Allegedly Received ₦8 Million To Do Dirty Jobs For Hushpupi
Abba Kyari is currently charged with wire fraud and money laundering. This was after Ramon Olorunwa Abbas ‘Hushpuppi’ claimed to bribe Kyari to arrest another fraudster, Kelly Chibuzo Vincent, following Vincent’s alleged exposure of Hushpuppi who defrauded a Qatari businessman of above $1.1 million.
According to a document by the United States Attorneys Office, Central District of California, Kyari, after arresting Vincent, allegedly sent Abbas photographs as proof and his account details. Ramon Abbas then wired him funds that resulted in about ₦8 million, which was equivalent to $20,600 at the time.
Kyari Could Face Up To 20 Years in Prison if Found Guilty
Hushpuppi had earlier pleaded guilty to cybercrime that amount to the loses of about $24 million. At this point, many people have been arrested concerning the crime. Like Hushpuppi, who might spend the next 20 years of his life imprisoned, Abba Kyari also risks a similar number of years in jail if found guilty of the charges against him.
Abba Kyari is at present suspended from his position. The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, then appoints Tunji Disu as the new deputy commissioner of police.
The Famous Suspended Policeman Denies The Charges Against Him
At this point, Abba Kyari does not deny his involvement with Ramon Abbas. What he disassociates himself from is ever accepting any bribe from the infamous criminal. According to one of the most decorated policemen in Nigeria, Hushpuppi reported Vincent as a criminal. He claimed that the former claimed that Vincent threatened his family, which led to the arrest.
According to him, Vincent was released when the police could not prove there was any threat to anyone’s life. He also added that there was a transaction between himself and Hushpupi but not as the American court paints it. The transaction was for him to get some clothes for Hushpupi, who admired his sort of outfits.
Apart from the American law probing Abba Kyari’s involvement in the fraud, the Nigerian law also intends to start an investigation.
What Nigerians Think About The Abba Kyari Indictment
Nigerians have different opinions on the Kyari-Hushpupi case. According to Femi Fani-Kayode, a politician and former minister, the case is nothing but a deep conspiracy to destroy the career of the now-suspended policeman.
In a similar vein, the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) claims that the order of arrest is nothing but a plot to intimidate a police officer in his country. The group also warned that nothing should happen to Kyari and called on other Nigerians to support him.
Reno Omokri, also a politician and former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, thinks otherwise. To him, Kyari may be guilty of the accusations. He added through social media that he searched the numbers listed in the affidavit that exchanged text with Hushpupi on Truecaller, and they matched Kyari’s.
Other Nigerians also have different thoughts that are mostly shared on social media. While others think there may be a conspiracy against him, others think he may have received the bribe. Also, many have gone as far as explaining that his involvement in Obi Cubana’s mother’s funeral may be a good reason that Kyari associates himself with rich men whose sources of wealth may be questionable.