NDLEA cocaine bust: Police halt further comments on Abba Kyari, arrested officers

The police have stopped making any more statements about Abba Kyari’s arrest by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

On Monday, the suspended DCP and four other officers were arrested: ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP James Bawa, Inspectors Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu.

ASP John Umoru, who has been declared wanted by the authorities, has yet to be apprehended. On Thursday, the Police Service Commission (PSC) announced their temporary dismissal.

The police challenged the NDLEA to produce its personnel

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Officers aided the Brazilian-Ethiopian-Nigerian ring behind the importation of 25kg of cocaine that landed Kyari and his men in trouble, according to the security agency.
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the cartel was in contact with NDLEA agents at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu and “are on their payroll.”

The mules, according to the PRO, revealed that the barons “conspire with NDLEA officers on duty and send them pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with narcotics”.

“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”, he noted.

The duo – Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus – landed in Nigeria on January 19, 2022 via Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917

The Force maintains the transporters had been cleared by NDLEA team and “were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police”.

Seeking reaction on identities of the operatives that allegedly allowed the suspects to pass, Adejobi told the police would no longer speak for now.

The spokesman, a Chief Superintendent, explained that the matter was still under probe.

“We don’t react to the NDLEA issue again, contact the NDLEA for whatever information you need. Investigation is ongoing”, his text message on Friday reads.

Kyari is wanted in the United States by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) concerning charges against Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi.

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A lawyer, Festus Ogun, said Kyari’s drug case might affect his US extradition because a fugitive criminal serving a sentence in Nigeria won’t be surrendered unless discharged by acquittal or expiration of sentence.