Former Lagos Police Commissioner MD Abubakar Recounts The Day He Was Mistakenly “Arrested” by His Own Men

In a striking recollection that highlights the realities of street-level policing and the weight of leadership, former Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, has shared a personal story from his tenure as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, revealing how he was once mistakenly “arrested” by officers under his own command.

Speaking in a reflective piece, Abubakar described how his routine Saturday took a dramatic turn when he decided to report to work earlier than usual.

Though his official appointment for the day was scheduled for 10 a.m., he set out by 6 a.m. and, in his usual fashion, chose to inspect police checkpoints unannounced to assess officer performance firsthand.

While driving through Herbert Macaulay Way in Lagos, he was stopped by policemen at one of the checkpoints. A young constable, unaware of his identity, approached him and demanded to know where he was headed.

“Good morning, young man. Where are you going in your father’s Jeep?” the officer asked, before requesting his particulars and name. Abubakar calmly replied, “My name is Mohammed.” When asked for identification, he challenged the officer to show his own first—none had any ID on them.

Refusing to be intimidated, Abubakar maintained his composure as the officers called in their team leader, a sergeant, who also demanded ID. When he declined again, they made the decision to take him to the Yaba Police Station (Panti). Upon arrival, the only available parking space belonged to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), and Abubakar parked there. This act triggered further protest from the constable, who warned him not to use the DPO’s space.

Inside the station, he was brought before an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who was not in uniform but wearing shorts. The ASP attempted to assert authority, but Abubakar refused to take orders from an officer not properly dressed. A brief struggle followed. As the ASP took a closer look, suspicion crept in. Meanwhile, an elderly man at the station quietly stepped into the DPO’s office, glanced at the framed photo on the wall, and realized who the man in custody was—the Commissioner of Police himself. In a panic, the man leapt out through a window.

The revelation sent shockwaves through the station. The sergeant who led the arrest turned pale when a colleague whispered the truth to him.

The ASP in shorts also made a dash for the window, fleeing in disbelief. Word quickly spread, and soon the Area Commander called Abubakar. By then, the officers involved—including the DPO—had already been placed in the station’s cell, awaiting his decision.

What made the incident even more troubling for Abubakar was the fact that he had issued a warning to that same station just a week earlier about their conduct.

However, despite the embarrassment and clear insubordination, he chose not to dismiss any of the officers involved. “My anger was real,” he said, “but by Monday, over a hundred people—wives, children, elders—came to my office crying, pleading for mercy. One elderly man said the constable was the only officer ever produced by their village. If I dismissed him, their community would be left without representation in the force.”

The experience left him with a deeper understanding of the human impact of disciplinary actions. “I realized dismissing one officer wasn’t just affecting one person—it meant punishing 30 people connected to him,” he explained.

Rather than take punitive measures, Abubakar turned the incident into a powerful example for the rest of the force. The lesson, he said, was clear: Leadership is not always about punishment. Sometimes, mercy speaks louder—and teaches a deeper lesson.

The story remains a powerful reminder of the complexities of leadership, the flaws in Nigeria’s policing system, and the transformative strength of compassion in authority.