NDLEA: Police Reveals Identify Of Suspected Drug Barons Working With Abba Kyari

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has revealed the identity of the two suspected international drug barons allegedly working with the suspended head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari.

KanyiDaily recalls that on Monday, February 14, the NDLEA had declared Abba Kyari wanted for alleged drug trafficking and for being a member of a drug syndicate operating across the globe.

The NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi had said the anti-drug agency strongly believes that “DCP Kyari is a member of a drug cartel that operates the Brazil-Ethiopia-Nigeria illicit drug pipeline”.

The anti-narcotics agency said Kyari contacted one of its officers in Abuja and struck a deal to secure the release of a total of 25kg seized cocaine from Ethiopia and offered $61,400 to NDLEA officers who played along until his arrest.

Babafemi also said the NDLEA had a series of photo and video evidence against Kyari and his team who connived and proposed to take 15kg of the seized cocaine for themselves.

Suspected Drug Barons In Abba Kyari’s Case

Shortly after he was declared wanted, Abba Kyari and four members of his IRT team were taken into custody by the police and handed over to the NDLEA operatives.

Others arrested alongside Kyari include ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, Inspector Simon Agrigba, and Inspector John Nuhu, while the fifth suspect, ASP John Umoru, is still at large.

The police said they were arrested on Monday for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, discreditable, unethical and unprofessional conduct, official corruption, and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel,

The Police then gave the names of suspected members of the drug cartel as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, arrested at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said that some NDLEA officials were allegedly involved in the drug deal.

Adejobi said, “The interim investigations report revealed that two (2) 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 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 two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.

“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.”

Adejobi said the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, had formally requested the Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, to ensure the identification, arrest and investigation of the agency’s officers involved in the alleged criminal act.

KanyiDaily recalls that last year, Abba Kyari was suspended by the police after United States’ FBI indicted him over his alleged role in a $1.1millon scam allegedly perpetrated by suspected fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.