When police do the right thing: Commending professional conduct amid a troubling child abduction case
By Okechukwu Nwanguma
In conversations about police accountability in Nigeria, commendation is often overshadowed by criticism. Yet, when police officers act professionally, lawfully, and in defence of vulnerable citizens, it is important – not optional – that such conduct is publicly acknowledged. Accountability works both ways.
This is why the conduct of the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of Agbala and Aboh Mbaise Police Stations in Imo State, as well as SP Adeberu Francis, DPO Aswani Division in Lagos State, deserves recognition in the troubling case involving the alleged abduction of a five-year-old child, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ekwulonu.
Professional intervention that protected a child
From the very outset, the response of the Nigeria Police demonstrated that professionalism is possible even under difficult circumstances.
At Aswani Police Station, Lagos, where the alleged abduction occurred and was first reported, SP Adeberu Francis handled the case with diligence and seriousness. Upon receiving the complaint, he initiated immediate investigative steps, including tracking the movements of the suspect, which led to the discovery that the child had been taken out of Lagos State toward the South-East. This early intervention was crucial in preventing further harm to the child and laid the foundation for his eventual recovery.
Faced with a distressed mother who later travelled across states in fear for her child’s safety, officers at Agbala Police Station and subsequently Aboh Mbaise Police Station also responded appropriately. Their intervention was not adversarial, dismissive, or exploitative. Instead, they focused on the immediate safety and recovery of the child, which is exactly what the law – and basic humanity – require.
With police presence and support, the child was successfully recovered from the suspect’s village in Aboh Mbaise. Importantly, the officers ensured that the mother was shielded from further harassment, intimidation, or mob pressure at a very vulnerable moment.
Taken together, these actions reflect policing at its best: coordinated, protective, professional, calm, and guided by the best interest of the child.
Commendation does not mean silence on due process
Commending these officers does not diminish the seriousness of the alleged offence or the concerns that followed. The alleged abduction occurred in Lagos State, and the first police report and crime entry were made there. These facts raise legitimate questions about jurisdiction, forum-shopping, and abuse of process, particularly in light of subsequent counter-petitions and attempts to shift the dispute to Imo State.
It is precisely because officers at the Aswani, Agbala, and Aboh Mbaise divisions acted professionally during the recovery phase that the subsequent handling of the matter must strictly follow clear legal and jurisdictional standards. Proper policing is a chain – when one link holds, others must not fail.
Why this commendation matters
Too often, police officers who act lawfully receive no institutional or public support, while those who abuse their powers operate with impunity. By acknowledging positive conduct, we reinforce professional standards within the Force; we encourage officers to prioritise victim protection, especially in child-related cases; we demonstrate that accountability is not hostility, but a pathway to better policing.
The officers involved in this case – particularly SP Adeberu Francis, and the DPOs of Agbala and Aboh Mbaise – have shown that even within a tense, emotionally charged, and politically sensitive situation, police officers can act with restraint, empathy, and respect for rights.
There truly are excellent officers within the Nigeria Police Force, working against great odds and systemic challenges, who deserve public recognition rather than silence.
The way forward
At RULAAC, we maintain that: Child abduction and related offences must be investigated where they occur; victims and complainants must be protected, not intimidated; police officers who act professionally should be openly acknowledged, just as those who compromise justice must be sanctioned. Commending good policing is not a distraction from accountability – it is part of it.
As this case moves forward, we urge police authorities to build on the professionalism already shown at the divisional level and ensure that the entire process aligns with the rule of law, due process, and the best interest of the child.
Because when the police do the right thing, the public must say so – and when they don’t, the public must speak even louder.
Nwanguma is the Executive Director of Rule of Law and Accountability, Advocacy Centre (RULAAC).