Lagos Police DPO Threatens Jail Over Minor Accident, Sparks Outrage Online

A shocking allegation has emerged from Lagos State, where a police officer, identified as CSP Ayanwale Ayodeji, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Olosan Police Station in Mushin, is accused of threatening to send a private citizen to jail over a minor car accident. The claim, widely circulated on social media, has drawn sharp criticism and renewed conversations about abuse of authority within Nigeria’s law enforcement.

Tax expert and social commentator, Akin Akinwale, popularly known as Tax Guru Akin, took to his social media platform to share what he described as a “blatant abuse of power” by the DPO. According to Akin, the incident involved a close friend who allegedly brushed another car while driving. “The DPO boldly told my friend to go and call whoever he knows, insisting that he would ensure my friend rests in jail,” Akin tweeted, adding that the offense was minor and could have been resolved amicably.

Details from the social media posts indicate that the accident in question involved the DPO’s friend. The situation, which ordinarily might have been settled with a simple repair or compensation, reportedly escalated after the car owner turned out to have close ties with the police officer in charge. Despite the friend immediately offering to pay for the damage, the DPO and his associate allegedly refused any peaceful settlement and insisted on incarceration.

The case, as described by Akin, has sparked outrage online, with social media users condemning what they describe as “unprecedented arrogance” and “reckless misuse of authority.” Many Nigerians took to platforms like X.com (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express disbelief that a law enforcement officer could openly declare that even intervention from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) would not deter him. “This is pure madness,” Akin stated, reflecting a sentiment shared by countless others who have witnessed or experienced similar power abuses in Nigeria.

Experts argue that such allegations, if proven true, highlight systemic issues within the police force where personal connections and favoritism can override legal processes. Legal analyst, Barrister Ifeanyi Okoro, commented that “No citizen should fear imprisonment for a minor accident, especially when they are willing to compensate for damages. Law enforcement must serve justice, not personal vendettas.”

The story has gained traction across multiple social media platforms, with hashtags like #AbuseOfPower and #JusticeForCitizens trending as netizens rally behind the alleged victim. Many users criticized the DPO’s reported statement that he would ignore directives from even the highest police authority, calling it “an alarming display of impunity.” Some have shared personal experiences of similar encounters, citing routine harassment, bribery demands, and arbitrary arrests by officers leveraging their positions.

While police officers are often confronted with tense situations on the road, critics say that CSP Ayanwale’s alleged behavior goes far beyond procedural error or professional misconduct. The implication that personal relationships can dictate legal outcomes raises serious questions about fairness and accountability in law enforcement. Citizens have argued that such actions erode public trust, discourage cooperation with police, and contribute to a climate of fear and uncertainty on Nigerian roads.

Calls for immediate investigation into the matter have begun to circulate online. Civic groups and activists are demanding that the Lagos State Police Command take decisive action to verify the claims and hold any erring officer accountable. “If even a hint of this allegation is true, disciplinary measures should be swift. Law enforcement must be impartial, and no one should be above the law,” said Chika Umeh, a Lagos-based human rights advocate.

The alleged victim, according to social media reports, remains cooperative and has expressed willingness to resolve the matter peacefully. This makes the DPO’s reported insistence on jail seem even more extreme to observers. Legal commentators suggest that the best course of action would involve formal complaints through the Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU) or escalation to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, which can investigate the claims independently.

The public reaction has highlighted the growing frustration many Nigerians feel towards perceived police misconduct. While reforms have been promised by the Nigerian Police Force over the years, incidents like this fuel skepticism about the effectiveness of these measures. Social media users have pointed out that repeated allegations of abuse, especially involving minor offenses like traffic incidents, indicate that systemic change is still urgently needed.

Adding to the tension is the perceived sense of impunity that some officers exhibit, believing they are shielded by their rank or connections. This perception is often reinforced when complaints fail to yield visible consequences, leaving citizens feeling powerless. Online discussions suggest that transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to procedure are crucial to rebuilding trust between the police and the public.

The incident in Mushin also raises broader questions about the role of social media in holding authorities accountable. While some argue that public exposure pressures officials to act responsibly, others caution that viral posts can sometimes amplify unverified claims, complicating investigations. In this case, however, the specificity of the allegations—naming the DPO, his station, and the circumstances—has drawn both public attention and calls for formal inquiry.

The Lagos State Police Command has not issued an official statement regarding the matter as of the latest reports, and it remains unclear whether the alleged threats will lead to any formal charges or internal disciplinary action. Meanwhile, social commentators continue to discuss the case extensively, often highlighting the contrast between citizens’ vulnerability in such encounters and the power wielded by some police officers.

As this story unfolds, it underscores a recurring theme in Nigeria’s law enforcement narrative: the delicate balance between authority and accountability. While police are entrusted to maintain law and order, citizens expect fairness, impartiality, and protection from arbitrary treatment. The allegations against CSP Ayanwale, whether ultimately substantiated or not, have sparked a national conversation about where that balance lies and how much room exists for personal bias in executing public duties.

For now, the matter serves as a cautionary tale for both police officers and citizens. For the public, it highlights the importance of knowing one’s rights and avenues for redress in cases of potential abuse. For law enforcement, it is a stark reminder that their actions are constantly under scrutiny and that abuse of power can attract widespread condemnation and erode public trust in their institution.

As Nigerians await clarity from the Lagos State Police Command and possibly the Inspector-General of Police, the incident has already left a mark on social discourse. Citizens, lawyers, and civic groups alike are watching closely, calling for swift action that prioritizes justice over personal connections. Whether this will result in accountability or simply fade into the background as another social media controversy remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: public awareness and online activism are increasingly shaping the dialogue around law enforcement behavior in Nigeria.

The allegation that a minor traffic incident could lead to jail, especially when the officer in question openly claims immunity to the highest directives, has sparked not only outrage but urgent questions about the culture within some units of the Nigerian Police Force. For now, the Mushin DPO controversy is a flashpoint in ongoing debates about power, privilege, and justice in Nigeria, serving as both a warning and a call for reform in polici

ng practices across the country.