Embattled former Head of Intelligence Response Team and Deputy Police Commissioner, Abba Kyari, has been arrested alongside four others by the Nigeria Police.
Kyari was reportedly arrested hours after the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency declared him wanted over alleged drug links.
The concerned officers include DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, ASP John Umoru (at large), Inspr. Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu.
A statement signed by Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Monday, said the arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency on February 10, 2022 and subsequent discreet investigation by the NPF.
The statement added that “in line with standard administrative procedure of the Force, the Inspector-general of police, IGP Alkali Baba ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.
“The interim investigations report revealed that two international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.
“The arrest led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).”
The suspended DCP is also under investigation after the Federal Bureau of Investigation of the United States of America indicted him in the case of fraud involving an Instagram celebrity, Ramon Abbas, aka Hushpuppi.
A senior police officer at the Force headquarters told The Punch that Kyari was handcuffed and arrested like any other suspect.
“He has been arrested. He was handcuffed and will be handed over to the appropriate agency. He was not given any preferential treatment,” the police officer said.
