Victor Ezeja
Following the alleged involvement of Abba Kyari’s team in drug trafficking, leading to his arrest on Monday, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has ordered the closure of all satellite units of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and Special Tactical Squad (STS) across Nigeria.
The IGP gave the order a day after Kyari, a Deputy Commissioner of Police who headed the IRT of the Nigeria Police Force was arrested and handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The police chief has consequently directed all serving officers in the IRT satellite units across the country to report to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for debriefing.
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A police source that confirmed the development to Channels TV, disclosed that authorities have been informed that serving officers and men in the unit will be demobilized and posted to commands across the country.
The Force also directed that the IRT/STS Headquarters in Abuja should be fortified and organised for enhanced operational performance to combat emerging trends.
Kyari and others arrested in connection with the illicit drug deal are presently in NDLEA custody.
Meanwhile, the Police Force headquarters has also revealed identities of the suspected drug barons who allegedly connived with Kyari and four others to ship illicit hard substances to Nigeria.
This was made know in a statement in Abuja by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DFPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who said that some NDLEA officials were allegedly involved in the drug deal.
Adejobi stated that the IGP had ordered a discreet in-house investigation over the allegation of illicit drug saga after receiving a request from the NDLEA on February 10.
“The interim investigations report,” he said, “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 Jan. 19.
“The suspects were arrested 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 couriers.
“The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT),” Adejobi stated.
He further said that police transfered the case and the two suspects to NDLEA on January 25, 2022 for further investigations.
According to the Chief Superintendent of Police, the in-house investigation revealed that the IRT officers involved in the operation had some under-hand dealings considered to be against the ethics of the police force.
“On the strength of the findings of the in-house Police Investigation Panel, the I-G has ordered the immediate arrest and transfer of all the indicted police officers to the NDLEA for conclusive investigation.
“Appropriate disciplinary actions are also being initiated against them by the Force leadership,” he said.
Prior to the drug scandal, Kyari had been on suspension for alleged involvement in a fraud case being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
The police spokesperson also disclosed that the suspected drug dealers had some of form of collaboration with some NDLEA officials which enabled them have easy passage at the airports previously.
“Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) who are on their pay roll.
“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.
“The idea is to ensure seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked,” Adejobi added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
