Still On Abba Kyari, Crime Fighting And The Need To Curtail Disturbing Incidences Of Crime In The Country (5) -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

I can go on and on to list the high profile cases that were cracked by Mr. Abba Kyari but it is impossible to do it in essay of this kind. But perhaps when the compendium or history of crime fighting in Nigeria is written, his numerous accomplishments in the field of crime fighting might find a suitable space. But suffice it to say that Kyari’s operations in Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, South-south and Southeast Nigeria was a huge success with over one thousand recorded major arrests within the period he was in charge. And without prejudice to his past and serving colleagues I would say that his achievement in crime bursting is unequalled. And in concluding this series, I will give a space to highlight some of the awards that he received in recognition of his achievement and cite some instances of where people who were hitherto suspended or dismissed were recalled to active service.

As stated above, Abba Kyari received numerous awards and societal recognition for his bravery, commitment to national service and gallant performances. Again, just as numerous as his achievements are, so are his awards but highlighting just a few will satisfy the purpose of this essay. In years 2012, 2013 and 2014, Abba Kyari received the Inspector General of Police IGP Medal for Courage.

In Lagos, he trice received the Lagos State Governor’s award for Gallantry, Leadership and Service Excellence in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Also, in Lagos, he received the Lagos State Commissioner of Police Commendation Award for Courage in 2011 when he was in charge of Lagos Special Anti-robbery Squad (SARS).

He received a distinguished award as the Nigerian police officer of the decade, 2010-2020. On 1st April, 2016, he received the Presidential medal for courage from President Mohammadu Buhari. In 2020, he received an award by National Assembly (NASS) as the most outstanding Police officer in Nigeria. He was also given a special recognition by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs in 2018. He also received a special award of gallant performance from the Head of Securities Of Banks and Financial Institutions In Nigeria At Ikeja Lagos 2019. He received the Nigerian Youth Organization Award of Excellence for Leadership Right Activation in 2019. And Award of gallant performance from the Nigerian Youth Advocacy for Good Governance Initiative.

In his home state, he received an Award of Excellence and Gallant Performance from the Borno State House of Assembly and the Northeast Star Award as the Best Police Officer of the Decade in 2018. In addition to that, the Geography Department of University of Maiduguri (class of 1997) gave him a distinguished alumni award for courage and excellence as a security Icon of Security 2018.

Furthermore, Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) gave him almost a decade long star award for gallantry in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. He also received the Silverbird Group Hero of the Year Award in 2018 for his dedication to duty and national service. The African Independent Publishers Forum gave him an award for Excellent Service in 2018. The Arewa Media Practitioners gave him a merit award as the “Most outstanding police officer of the year 2018/2019” for being Nigeria’s most accomplished detective and a gallant police officer with numerous national and international accolades.

Abba Kyari’s awards and recognition goes beyond the shores of Nigeria. For instance, in 2018, he received the award of Africa’s Best Detective and the Star Award for Outstanding Gallantry in Africa by Security watch Africa. He was also voted Best Anti-Crime Police Officer in West Africa from Security Watch Africa.

When Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu recalled Nuhu Ribadu who was dismissed from the Nigerian Police Force in 2008 by the Police Service Commission and appointed him as the National Security Adviser, many hailed the appointment as that of a round peg in a round hole. And so it was with the current Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede who was erroneously suspended in the wake of the sacking of Ibrahim Magu in 2018. Mr. Olukoyode has been recalled and made a substantive chairman of the commission. In June 2017 about suspended judges were recalled to duty by the National Judicial Council (NJC) because their services are still needed by the country. In November, 2022, the Nigerian Police Service Commission (PSC) recalled about 10 dismissed police officers. In May 2017, the then Inspector-general of Police Mr. Usman Alkali Baba reinstated three police officers attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) that were dismissed for professional misconduct.

From the foregoing, it is clear that Abba Kyari was outstanding and deserved the super cop appellation attributed to him judging by his exploits and awards and reinstating him back to office will be of most benefit to the nation. I do not have space here again to highlight some of the unresolved cases of banditry and kidnapping since his exit from the scene but suffice it to state that the cases are disturbingly high and must be curbed if we are to meaning progress as a nation.

And on that note I will appeal to the President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who has set the tone by recalling Nuhu Ribadu and Ola Olukoyode to extend the same gesture to Abba Kyari now that the security situation in the country is deteriorating at an unbearable rate. It will be a credit to his government and plus to our national security if he does that.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, a politician, social activist,
London, UK