Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested three Mobile Police officers over an alleged illegal escort operation in Ondo State, while simultaneously directing disciplinary measures against the Ore Divisional Police authorities for exposing the force to what an internal communication described as "bad publicity." The case, which unfolded over the weekend, has exposed a troubling contradiction within the force's disciplinary apparatus: officers are being punished for misconduct, but those who report them are also being penalised for bringing the institution into disrepute.
The incident began in the early hours of Sunday, August 9, 2026, when personnel of the Mining Enforcement and Security team conducting a stop-and-search operation in Ore accosted a Hilux vehicle carrying three men dressed in what initially appeared to be Civil Defence uniforms. According to a situation report from the Ore Divisional Police Headquarters, the three men came down from the vehicle and attempted to dismantle the security barricade. When security personnel confronted them, two of the men reportedly returned to the Hilux and sped away, while the third was apprehended.
During interrogation, the suspect identified himself as a Mobile Police officer attached to MOPOL 20 in Lagos. He was identified as Force Number 530219, Corporal Dambaki Abreme, who enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on January 10, 2022. A rifle allegedly in his possession, along with 30 rounds of ammunition, was also recovered.
The matter escalated when the Area Police Commander alerted the Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Akure, at about 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. According to an internal police signal obtained by SaharaReporters, the alert identified Corporal Dambaki and his accomplices: Corporal Abdullahi, attached to MOPOL 44, Force Headquarters, Abuja, and Corporal Umar of MOPOL 41, Damaturu. While Dambaki was arrested in Ore, the two other officers had reportedly escaped following a scuffle. The incident subsequently made its way onto social media, triggering widespread attention.
The internal communication later clarified that the clothing worn by Corporal Dambaki was not a Civil Defence uniform. According to the police signal, the uniform was a black Special Forces denim outfit bearing MOPOL insignia and other Special Forces features. "The uniform did not in any way resemble that of the Civil Defence," the signal stated.
However, the police communication then turned its focus on the Ore Divisional authorities, accusing them of raising an alarm based on "grave ignorance and malevolence" and exposing the Nigeria Police Force to negative publicity. The signal claimed that Dambaki had previously been demobilised and released from MOPOL 20, Ikeja, for deployment to Zamfara State, but allegedly failed to report to his new posting. Instead, he was accused of remaining in Lagos and assembling "a nest of impervious elements to conduct illegal escort operations."
Further investigation led to the arrest of the two officers who had initially escaped. They were reportedly arrested at about 2 p.m. on Monday and are currently being held in the custody of the Commander, MOPOL 20, Ikeja, pending their evacuation to Abuja. The Commissioner of Police in Akure was also directed to take disciplinary measures against the Ore Divisional Police authorities over the incident. The internal communication described the conduct of the three officers as an "embarrassment to the Force" and expressed regret over the development.
All three corporals are scheduled to appear before the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The Commander of MOPOL 20 has been directed to coordinate with the Ondo State Commissioner to ensure the officers are produced as ordered. "This was not an isolated lapse," one senior officer told MCC News. "It reflects a pattern of defiance that cannot be tolerated."
The case has drawn sharp criticism from civil society groups and legal practitioners, who have questioned the decision to discipline the Ore authorities for reporting the incident. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju condemned the move, stating that punishing officers for exposing misconduct undermines accountability and discourages whistleblowing within the force. The incident comes against the backdrop of a broader crackdown on illegal escort operations by the Nigeria Police Force. In August 2026, the Inspector-General of Police removed six Commanding Officers of MOPOL and Operations units deployed to TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited facilities in Port Harcourt over allegations of illegal collection of N70,000 monthly from officers under their command. The force has also issued strict directives against unauthorised escort duties, following a presidential order to withdraw police personnel from VIPs.
For now, the three corporals remain in custody, their careers hanging in the balance. The Ore Divisional authorities, meanwhile, face an inquiry for doing what many would argue was their duty: reporting suspicious activity. The message from police leadership appears clear: misconduct will be punished, but so will the exposure of that misconduct. Whether this dual approach will deter future wrongdoing or simply drive it further underground remains to be seen.
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