Offa Bank Robbery Conviction; Group makes case for DCP Abba Kyari before President Tinubu

The Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CEDEHUR) has called on President Bola Tinubu to review the case of former Head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police Force, Abba Kyari, and secure his release from prolonged detention.

Kyari has been held in connection with alleged involvement in drug trafficking, charges which he denies.

Currently standing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges brought by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kyari’s detention has drawn attention from various quarters.

CEDEHUR, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Azeez Folusho, praised Kyari’s past efforts in combating kidnappers and terrorists, including his role in the arrest of the notorious Offa bank robbers.

The Offa robbery, which took place on April 5, 2018, in Kwara State, claimed 31 lives, marking it as the deadliest robbery incident in Nigerian history.

The robbers involved were recently sentenced to death. CEDEHUR highlighted Kyari’s contributions to public safety and urged for a fair reassessment of his case.

“The arrest, prosecution, and death sentencing of the five Offa robbery suspects would have been impossible without the unwavering dedication, exceptional ingenuity, and swift intelligence of Nigeria’s renowned Super Cop, Abba Kyari, who is now imprisoned on what we believe are trumped-up charges,” the group stated.

They further explained that after the incident, the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, assigned Kyari to relocate to Offa and spearhead the investigation.

The statement added: “Kyari, ever ready to serve his fatherland, immediately obeyed the call of duty,” the group said.

“Abba Kyari, then an Assistant Commissioner of Police and head of the Police Intelligence Response Team, arrived in Offa town with his team to assess the situation and track down the perpetrators. As usual he followed up the case with doggedness and calculated use of advanced technology in getting the deadly armed robbers arrested.

“The police team led by Kyari were able to arrest 12 additional suspects in connection with the robbery, recovering items such as handsets, iPads, and SIM cards belonging to the victims.

“Some of the suspects arrested included Adegoke Shogo, Kayode Opadokun, Kazeem Abdulrasheed, Azeez Abdullahi, and Alexander Reuben, among others. The police also recovered firearms and ammunition from the suspects.

“It is soul lifting that, on Thursday a Kwara State High Court sentenced the five suspects to death by hanging for their role in the infamous bank robbery. The convicted suspects, Ayoade Akinnibosun, Azeez Salahudeen, Niyi Ogundiran, Ibikunle Ogunleye, and Adeola Abraham, were found guilty of armed robbery, culpable homicide, and illegal possession of firearms.

“The suspects also made off with 21 brand new AK-47 rifles from the police station’s armoury in the devastating attack, which claimed the lives of nine policemen and several civilians during the daring robbery that targeted at least five commercial banks in Offa town.

“The judge, Justice Haleemah Salman, handed down the sentence after a three-and-a-half-hour judgment, in which he also imposed a three-year prison sentence for illegal possession of firearms. The prosecution views this verdict as a closure for the victims’ families and a deterrent to potential criminals.

“As this sentence marks a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their loved ones, the Nigerian state needs to revisit Abba Kyari’s case and acquit him of the unfounded allegations levelled against.

“It has been proven repeatedly that the then Deputy Commissioner of Police is merely a victim of media trial before the actual judicial trial upon which the judges have been adjudicating over trumped up charges.”

The group recounted that Kyari’s alleged connection with Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi has been dismissed by the Federal High Court 5 on 29/8/2022.

“The Nigeria Police Force and the Presidency at this crucial moment of overwhelming security challenges need the services of Abba Kyari to step in and arrest the drift and revamp the almost collapsed and overwhelmed security architecture.

“Keeping our best hands away in prison custody on grounds of unproven allegations while the nation groans under insecurity and citizens’ blood flowing from bandits’ daily senseless attacks is a complete embrace for the looming anarchy.

“Leadership is about taking a hard decision and in Abba Kyari’s case, it’s an easy decision to make – that the country’s best hands should lead the fight against threats. The last thing the country needs now is the increasing budget on insecurity in the absence of resources yet in the presence of people like Abba Kyari who can simply solve the problems.”

The statement highlighted several of Kyari’s notable achievements, including the arrest of 52 Boko Haram suicide bombing coordinators in Borno State, the kidnappers of Chief Olu Falae, the individuals responsible for the murder of Rev. Fr. Adeyi in Benue, the assassins of former Chief of Defence Staff Alex Badeh, billionaire kidnapper Evans, and prominent kidnap kingpins in northern Nigeria such as Halti, Yellow, Kachalla Manu, and Zakari Yau.

The group called on President Bola Tinubu to expedite Kyari’s release from detention, stating, “This is a call for President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action. Your administration will be evaluated based on key issues, particularly insecurity, which has worsened and severely affected the economy and the lives of citizens.

“The President has the opportunity to make the right decision now. Otherwise, history may not be forgiving.”