CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
History often shows that those who stand for justice and excellence attract envy and vendetta. Nigeria is no different and the sponsors of criminality, banditry and enemies of peace often target the good ones, but true heroes never waver.
It will be recalled that in the heart of Nigeria’s darkest times, terror walked freely, fear ruled the streets and criminals became Kingmakers deciding the fate of Nigerians.
During one of the darkest moments, among the most dreaded criminals was the high profile suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.
During the sad reign of Evans as a dreaded kidnapper, he was described as a mystery man and many lives were wasted and billions of Naira was paid as ransom by victims. Kidnapping turned into a lucrative business against morality and the Nigeria Police Force was almost helpless in the face of rising wave of criminality. The Police tried all sorts of strategies over a long period to arrest the likes of Evans to no avail because he seemed to be invincible and was ahead of the Police.
It was in the midst of the frustration and hopelessness that the then Assistant Commissioner of Police and commander of the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team (IRT), ACP Abba Kyari, took charge.
It took a lot of brilliance, capacity, intelligence, courage and capacity to arrest Evans during his reign as an advanced kidnapper. Against all odds and frustration, Abba Kyari’s capacity eventually ended the terror of Evans and his gang in Nigeria. Abba Kyari was celebrated and given the highest awards even by the National Assembly.
Another striking nefarious monster kidnapper was Henry Chibueze, a.k.a “Vampire” — a kidnap kingpin responsible for hundreds of murders and kidnappings across Imo State, the entire Southeast and beyond.
In January, 2017, “Vampire” escaped from custody in a daring Owerri High Court attack, leaving chaos, death, and panic in his wake. The nation held its breath.
In the midst of the darkness, one man again rose as a beacon of courage with intelligence and discipline. Abba Kyari took charge by using brilliant intelligence strategies, multi-state coordination, and tactical precision. Kyari’s team tracked Vampire to his hideout in Omu Awa Forest, Rivers State.
On 2nd March, 2017, in a decisive gun battle, the IRT neutralized Vampire, rescued communities from fear, and recovered weapons while arresting gang members. Lives were saved, and peace was restored.
That was not just an operation. It was a testament to what true heroism looks like — courage in the face of danger, intelligence guiding every move, and leadership inspiring a team to act with precision.
Abba Kyari is more than just another Police officer — he is a national hero, a guardian of lives, a symbol of discipline, and a model of intelligence-led security operations.
Let Nigeria continue to honour and empower its heroes. The nation cannot afford to silence those whose courage, strategy, and experience protect its people. Heroes like Abba Kyari are national assets, not liabilities.
As we remember the reign of terror by Evans, Vampire and other criminal elements currently holding Nigeria hostage in different parts, let us also remember the man who brought hope back to Nigeria through courage, strategy, intelligence and leadership in the person of DCP Abba Kyari — a true hero of the nation.
Nigeria today deserves a security system built on experience, intelligence, and unwavering dedication to peace. Mr. President has declared emergency on the security situation and the situation requires an emergency approach. Let us not waste experience, brilliance, courage and capacity despite the flaws as human. Like the saying, “let’s not throw the baby away with the bathing water”.