In a stunning and eye-opening revelation, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, has narrated how he was once arrested by his own men who had no idea they were detaining the highest-ranking officer in the state.
Abubakar shared the account while speaking on the importance of discipline, leadership, and professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force — highlighting an experience that exposed the cracks in frontline policing.
“When I was Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, I never joked with my job — especially on Saturdays,” he began.
According to Abubakar, on that fateful day, he rose unusually early and opted for an unannounced inspection to observe how officers were performing their duties at various checkpoints.
However, at a checkpoint along Herbert Macaulay Road, events took a dramatic turn.
“Some young officers stopped me. One of them looked at me and asked: ‘Young man, where are you going with your father’s car?’”
Despite calmly identifying himself as “Mohammed,” the officers demanded for his ID and vehicle papers — a request he turned back on them by asking for theirs first. None of them could present identification.
This led to a decision by the sergeant on duty to escalate the situation by taking him to Yaba Police Station (Panti) for further interrogation.
Once at the station, things escalated further. The officers forced Abubakar to speak to an ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police), who shockingly appeared in shorts and casual clothing while on duty.
“I refused to be interrogated by someone not in uniform. He pulled me in forcefully — and I pulled him too. But when he looked closer at my face, his eyes widened in shock.”
Another officer who checked the wall photos in the DPO's office quickly recognised the CP — and, in a moment of panic, jumped out the window and fled.
“Soon after, the whisper went around: ‘Hey, this is the CP!’ Everyone went into chaos. Even the ASP in shorts followed out the window and ran.”
The aftermath was swift: all officers involved were detained on the orders of the Area Commander, pending further directives from the CP.
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“Leadership Is Not Sitting in an Office” – Abubakar’s Verdict
Reflecting on the incident, Abubakar expressed more concern over unprofessional conduct than the personal humiliation.
“What upset me the most was not the arrest itself — it was the indiscipline, the lack of training, and the lack of professionalism.”
“How can a police officer stand on the road without an ID card, yet stop and detain people? How can an ASP conduct official duties in shorts? It confirmed to me that leadership is not about sitting in an office — you must go out, see for yourself, and ensure truth and justice are upheld at every level.”
His account has since sparked discussions around accountability, street-level supervision, and the urgent need for retraining and reforms in the Nigeria Police Force.
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