Has Former Supercop, Abba Kyari Been Released From Prison And Reinstated To Duty?
A TikTok user, @garkuwamatasa01 claims that suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari has been released, reinstated into the Nigerian Police Force, and is now set to resume anti-crime operations. Posted on July 21, 2025, the 21 seconds video had various images of Abba Kyari with the caption “Breaking News: the hero has returned Abba Kyari. The anti Yahoo boys, kidnappers, and bandits… All criminals should start running.”
VERIFICATION
Abba Kyari was a Deputy Commissioner of Police and former head of the Inspector-General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). He was widely known for leading high-profile anti-kidnapping and cybercrime operations. However, his career went downhill when he was implicated in two major criminal scandals: an international cyber fraud case and a domestic drug trafficking investigation.
In August 2021, the FBI indicted Kyari for allegedly working with notorious internet fraudster Ramon Abbas (Hushpuppi) in a $1.1 million fraud scheme. Kyari allegedly arranged the arrest and detention of a rival scammer on Hushpuppi's request and accepted money for it. According to a report from TVC news, the National Drug and Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA released video evidence showing Kyari negotiating a bribe of $61,400 to help release part of a seized cocaine and cover up the case.
The suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police was arraigned in March 2022 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, on eight counts bordering on conspiracy, obstruction, and dealing in cocaine, and other related offences. During his arraignment, the judge ordered for the transfer of Kyari and six others facing drug trafficking charges with him to Kuje Correctional Center, Abuja.
Following an application by his legal team, Kyari was granted two weeks conditional bail to attend his mother’s funeral. In April, 2025, the court ruled that the NDLEA had established a prima facie case. His “no-case” submission was dismissed, and he was ordered to open his defense. The case was adjourned to May 21, for the defendants to begin presenting their defences.
As of July 2025, the Nigerian Correctional Service confirmed that Kyari remains in custody pending the conclusion of his trial.
CONCLUSION
The viral claim that Abba Kyari has been released and reinstated into the police force is FALSE. While he was briefly granted bail for a family burial in 2024, he remains suspended from the Police Force and is still facing trial for drug-related offenses. His legal battles are far from over, and no reinstatement has taken place.
