Abba Kyari, a 1997 Geography graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Abba grew up and attended his primary and secondary schools in Maiduguri. He did 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 the year 2000. 16 years after, he has earned for himself the reputation of a diligent, no-nonsense and intelligence officer, such that the police authorities and the general public are proud of him. He always demonstrates to his bosses that he knew why he joined the force, and has kept at it.
After completing his training in the Police Academy Wudil Kano, Kyari was posted to Adamawa State where he served in Song, Girei and Numan Local Government areas with remarkable successes in crime bursting. He stood out tall when he led the arrest of a notorious armed robber called, ‘Ndagi’ a.k.a Spirit. Spirit who held in Numan, the third biggest town in Adamawa State and held the area hostage for several years before he was eventually arrested since then, since then, there was no looking back for this intelligent officer with a sharp investigative mind and sometimes deadly courage.
Kyari joined the Police Mobile Force, popularly known as Mopol in 2005 and was there for about five years until his posting to Lagos Command October in 2010. He was deployed as the second in command (2/IC) to SARS and later became the OC SARS on January 15, 2011. It was said that the then Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, who decorated him with several awards, resisted ceaseless attempts by the Police high Command to have Kyari redeployed out of Lagos. This was on account of his amazing achievements in combating the menace of armed robbery and kidnapping in Lagos.
What ever is worth doing is worth doing well has been his drive.
He has overseen covert operations of many high profile cases which include among others;
Arrest of the most notorious kidnap kingpin, billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwanmadike aka Evans and his Gangmembers.
Arrest of terrorists responsible for the bombing of Kuje and Nyanya towns of Abuja as well as recovery of primed explosives.
Arrest of Chibok school girls kidnappers and suicide bombers in Maiduguri.
Arrest of the kidnappers of elder statesman Chief Olu Falae in Ondo state.
Arrest of killers of Col. Samaila Inusa in Kaduna
Arrest of kidnappers/murderers of Barr Sheriff Yazid along Abuja-Kaduna Expressway
Arrest of Kidnappers of Sierra Leone Ambassador Major General Alfred-Nelson in Kaduna
Arrest of over 10 different Gangs of kidnappers totaling over 200 who have been terrorizing Kaduna-Abuja high way with the recovery over 50 Ak47 riffles and other deadly weapons.
Arrest of kidnappers of Hon. Samaila member representing Tudun Wada constituency Kaduna state.
Arrest of Notorious Armed Bandits in Zamfara and Katsina State and Recovery of sophisticated weapons including RPMG.
Arrest of hundreds of Fulani kidnappers terrorizing Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano expressways, Giwa/ Shika axis along ABU including the ones responsible for the robbery operation of Professor Othman lecturer in ABU Zaria.
Arrest of Kidnappers of Mother inlaw to Governor Masari of Kastsina State.
-Recently Kyari and his Team rescued a RTD Custom officer and Inlaw to the President of Nigeria Alhaji Umar Magajin Garin Daura OFR from the hands of Notorious Kidnappers unhurt and without any ransom been paid.
Kyari has received a lot of awards to mark his achievements. But to mention a few; there’s the IGP Commendation Award for Courage 2012, 2013, 2014. Governors Award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service excellence 2011, 2012, 2013. There’s Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage 2011. Best Anti- Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa, Star Award from CRAN 2011, 2012, 2013 ,2014 and the Highest Of them all Presidential Medal of Courage 1/4/16.
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.”
So, here’s a brilliant officer who is also a great leader, who is ever ready to learn and teach others so the war against crime and criminals may succeed. No wonder the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, like his predecessor, was full of praises for Abba Kyari as he broke the news to Lagosians of the rescue of the three female students and the arrest of their kidnappers. He couldn’t be headed anywhere else but the top having stayed on top of his game from the moment he joined the Police.
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