By Hassan Zaggi
Taraba Youths Frontiers has restated its call for the release of DCP Abba Kyari in the wake of the conviction of notorious kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike otherwise known as Evans.
Evans, who was notorious for kidnapping and collecting millions of ransom in dollars on Monday was convicted to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping one Sylvanus Hafia.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences Court handed down the sentence despite pleas of no guilt by Evans and his accomplice, Victor Aduba.
The group in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Shagari Usman Baba Maito, said that the conviction of Evans was another feather to Kyari’s achievements of ridding the country of dangerous elements from the society.
Describing Evans as one of the picks among criminal elements in the society, Maito said, “All Nigerians and people of just minds must congratulate and hail Kyari for this conviction. This goes to show what Kyari stands for and his love for Nigeria.
“He was passionate about Nigeria. He worked hard to ensure peace and security in Nigeria. Imagine if Evans was still on the loose.
“In his days, Evans wrecked havoc across the country, collecting ransoms in hard currencies and still killed them.
“People lived in fear. It appeared as if there was no hope until Kyari came and took him and his group out,” Maito said.
He argued that unfortunately “for Kyari to be appreciated, he was rather declared wanted on trump up charges and is in jail, and the envious sister agency is working very hard to stop his bail.
Maito recalled the role Kyari played in rooting out people like Evans from the country, pointing out that Kyari smashed “14 deadly kidnappers that terrorised Adamawa and Taraba States, and recovered several Ak-47 rifles, other weapons, charms and ammunition. Today, those bad element are gone.”
Maito added that, “Kyari-led IRT and also arrested kidnap kingpin Abdulkarim Yunusa Aka Italia and 22 gang members terrorizing Taraba State, recovering rifles, with gang members confessing to kidnapping over 30 people.
The Coordinator of the group also said that Kyari led his team to arrest “arms suppliers to bandits and kidnappers in Taraba state led by Yakubu Shehu and recovered 4 Ak47 Rifles.”
He highlighted the biggest arrest in the state, saying: “The arrest of Hamisu Bala, also known as Wadume, and two others, is the biggest and best thing to happen to us in Taraba.
“It was his arrest that led to his jail. He alongside two of his accomplices was jailed seven years’ imprisonment at the Federal High Court in Abuja a few months ago. It’s an unparalleled achievement,” he declared.
“We commend Kyari for his contribution and urged the government to ensure his safe release and restoration to the force especially now that kidnapping has become a common industry.
“It is time President Muhammadu Buhari intervenes personally so that the right thing can be done. This anti-agency rivalry which Kyari found himself must be done away with to ensure proper fight against insecurity especially the increasing spate of kidnapping,” the statement said.
