Kyari, pigs and Martinmas

In Ireland, pigs are preferred to other domestic animals for Martinmas, the celebration of the birth of St. Martin which comes up on November 11. This gave rise to the saying that to every pig, there is a Martinmas. In Ireland, it does not matter how long it takes, or how many Martinmases a pig escapes, it will eventually meet with its death on a Martinmas.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari’s Matinmas has finally arrived with the move by the Nigeria Police authorities to dismiss him from service and the Federal Government’s approval of the United States of America’s request for his extradition over alleged involvement in $1.1million wire fraud perpetrated by Abass Ramon, aka Hushpuppi, and four others. The news of the FG filing an application for Kyari’s extradition came last Thursday, the same day the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) chose to slam an 8-count charge against him. The NDLEA accused Kyari and four others of dealing in 17.55 kilogrammes of cocaine without lawful authority and thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 11(c) of the NDLEA Act. For Kyari, last week was a deluge of bad news.

The mention of Kyari in the Hushpuppi case and the drug deal came as a surprise to many Nigerians because, over the years, Kyari had earned the reputation of a distinguished police officer who many had believed would one day become the country’s Inspector General of Police. So, the allegations were an unexpected twist in an otherwise exemplary career.

As the Head of the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos State, Kyari put an end to the reign of terror foisted on the South West region by a robbery gang, known as Godogodo and led by the one-eyed Abiodun Egunjobi.  He also arrested the just convicted billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans, and effected the arrest of the Taraba State-based kidnap kingpin, Hamisu Wadume, among others.

So impressive was Kyari’s performance that he bagged the Presidential Medal for Courage in 2016. The House of Representatives also honoured him in 2020 with a standing ovation for his exceptional and exemplary work in fighting crime in the country.

But how could somebody who got so high have gone so low? How could an officer in whom so much hope was placed have made such a 180-degree turn? How could somebody who had saved the country from untold anguish have also subjected his country to such a level of opprobrium? How could such a brilliant police officer be caught in a Hushpuppi net? How could somebody who is a committed crime fighter be involved in drug dealing? How could a crime buster turn a crime aider and perpetrator?

Kyari’s predicament stemmed from his predilection. He was torn between two loves; he loved crime-busting but he also loved the limelight. Kyari was as fond of chasing criminals as he was of hugging the limelight. He was patriotic but he was also hedonistic. Kyari loved being a policeman but he also wanted to be known as a celebrity. Unfortunately for him, his income as a crime fighter could not sustain a celebrity lifestyle. So, he had to look for other means of getting money to sustain the larger than life celebrity image he had carved for himself. This lured the crime fighter into crime perpetration. That was his turning point; rather than continuing as a crime fighter, he became a crime aider. He had to remain in the limelight at all cost. It didn’t matter if he had to do the bidding of Hushpuppi to get a slice of his illicit money or had to deal in drug for filthy lucre. He just had to get money to live up his chosen lifestyle.

While it is painful to imagine what Kyari could have been that he will definitely not become, the painful truth is that the guy that has just been unveiled is the real Abba Kyari. In his heart, he has always been a crime perpetrator in the borrowed robe of a crime fighter. The gallantry and bravery was a cover up for the untamed knavery. This is why the switch to who he real is was not difficult. A robed pig, at the sight of a dunghill throws away all caution and buries its head in the waste. But to every pig, there is the Martinmas. Hope this serves as deterrent to others Kyaris in the police.

Ukrainians’ shocking sense of patriotism

I was pleasantly surprised to read about hundreds of Ukrainians who returned from their bases abroad to their home country following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia. These folks left their jobs and, in some cases, wives and children to join the Ukrainian Army in defence of their fatherland against the Russian aggression. These young men without military training knew that they might die in the process, but it did not matter. They realized that they might lose an arm or a leg but they would rather become disabled than watch their homeland taken over by Putin’s army. Rather than staying away in foreign land and praying to God to save their country, they chose to put their lives on the line for their country. That is patriotism!

And that got me thinking. How many Nigerians would willingly lay down their lives for their country? How many of the Nigerians in Diaspora would readily leave the comfort of their homes abroad to defend their homeland if it becomes necessary? Not many, if any.

But the reason is not shrouded in any mystery. Patriotism is a people’s response to a country’s love and care. That is why patriotism can never be legislated. When a country does not care about its people, the people will not bother about the country! If Ukrainians in Diaspora are trooping back to defend their country it is because the country has always been there for them. So, the Putin’s invasion is an opportunity to recompense their country for the love and care they had enjoyed.

Even if the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, loses to Putin’s superior firepower, he will be happy that he has won the hands and hearts of his countrymen. And that is leadership!

IN CASE YOU MISSED THESE FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

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• Suspected cannibal pays N500,000 for boy’s human organs, says ‘that’s my favourite meal, especially the throat’
• Court awards Nnamdi Kanu N1 billion over invasion of his home by military, asks FG to apologise

“It is gladdening that only six months after that memorable event, the Minister of Interior is back in Enugu to perform another significant and symbolic ceremony. This time, the Minister accompanied by the Acting Comptroller General of Immigration, is in the Coal City to unveil the enhanced E-Passport and Commission the Passport Production Centre for the South East situated in Enugu within this Complex.”

Speaking also, the Acting Comptroller General enthused that the people of the South East can now rejoice, pointing out that it was not that his Service oblivious of the suffering of the people but that time and resources had not permitted earlier action.

He commended Gov Ugwuanyi for his support and assistance to the State Command that had culminated in the realization of the project.

Responding, Aregbesola showered encomium on Ugwuanyi who he described as his good friend and one who has been of immense assistance to the Immigration Service in Enugu state.

The minister said not only does South East have a passport production centre within reach but also that the people now have access to an array of choices of the enhanced E-Passport that will aid their globe-trotting disposition.