Some residents of Borno State have expressed anger after suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP, Abba Kyari failed to attend his mother’s burial as a result of his detention in prison.
They expressed anger that he has not been granted bail even though the alleged drug trafficking charge filed against him by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, over which he was detained, is a bailable offense.
Kyari ‘s mother, Yachilla Imam Kyari, died in the early hours of Sunday, 5th May, 2024.
A statement issued by the family announcing her death said she is survived by Mrs Yana, Mrs Kaka Hajja, DCP Abba Kyari, Mrs Hajjja Gana Kyari and Mr Baba Gana Kyari.
Other survivors are Mr Baba Goni Kyari, Mrs Yana Ngala, Mrs Bawa Hajja, Mr Baba Gana and Mr Gimba.
She left behind 10 children, five males and five females.
Abba Kyari is the eldest son, and the third among the 10 children.
While Abba Kyari was not able to attend his mother’s burial, residents of Borno State turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to Yachilla Imam Kyari, who was buried according to Islamic rites on Sunday, May 5, 2024.
“This is injustice. How can a man who served Nigeria meritoriously be treated this way? It’s wrong,” Mohammed, who attended the burial, stated, voicing his unhappiness that Abba Kyari was not able to attend his mother’s burial.
Another sympathiser, who identified himself as Alli, said, “Where’s Kyari? Why are they holding him? They can keep him but we know he’s here with us.”
He added, “Kyari is a good man. When he’s freed, we would declare him a hero because he’s our hero. He served us well and served the country well.”
Also speaking at the burial, a lady who said Kyari helped rescue her husband from kidnappers, wept when she learnt the cop could not be allowed to bury the mother.
“How can they not allow Kyari to bury the mother? This is wrong. This is bad. It’s wickedness.”
“What did he do that they cannot allow him to bury his mother. These are the things that make some Nigerians not to sacrifice for the country,” she lamented.
“My husband was kidnapped and Abba Kyari rescued him alongside many people. We were told to pay N100 million but Kayri led his team personally to rescue him.
“Kyari is a fighter, a dogged fighter and action man, who helped to solve insecurity problems but since he’s locked up, kidnapping has increased,” the woman added.
Some of the residents expressed the opinion that Abba Kyari’s continued detention must have contributed to the death of his mother.
Before his arrest, Abba Kyari was widely regarded as a ‘super cop’s due to his exploits in the campaign against crime and insecurity in the country.
He has been held in Kuje Prison, Abuja, for about two years.
Recently, a youth group, One Voice Development Initiative, held a special prayer session in Kano for Abba Kyari’s release.
Convener of the group, Abbas Yakasai said they converged to seek Allah’s intervention over Kyari’s travails.
The group also urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in Kyari’s case by releasing the policeman.
“We believe that when DCP Abba Kyari was in service, Nigeria was more peaceful and safer. Now that he is in detention, security situation is worsening.
“We are all witness of how he fought banditry with all his life. Banditry was not as bad as now when he was in service. That is why we pray for his release.”