Lagos Police Deny Kidnapping Rumours Surrounding DCP Salihu

Lagos Police Debunk Kidnap Claim In DCP Khan Salihu Death

A false kidnapping claim briefly turned grief into a public scandal before Lagos Police slammed the brakes, insisting that DCP Khan Salihu was never abducted, never linked to any criminal incident, and died after a sudden brief illness. In a media climate where rumour often outruns verification, the Command’s sharp denial has now become the…

Atlantic Post

June 17, 2026

3–4 minutes

Abimbola Adebisi, DCP Khan Salihu, Lagos Police Command, Lagos Security, Nigerian Police Force, Police Misinformation

The Lagos State Police Command has moved swiftly to crush a damaging viral narrative alleging that the late Deputy Commissioner of Police, Khan Salihu, was kidnapped by suspected criminals before he died. In a firm rebuttal, the Command described the report as “false, reckless, and highly irresponsible”, insisting that the senior officer was never abducted and did not die in any criminal incident.

The clarification, issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, has now become the official account of how the officer died. According to the police, DCP Salihu had only “briefly complained of feeling unwell”, was immediately taken to hospital for urgent medical attention, and was pronounced dead by doctors on arrival. The Command stressed that at no time was he kidnapped, abducted, or connected to any criminal episode.

The controversy began after claims circulated online suggesting that the senior officer had been seized by armed men before his death. The police said the allegation was not merely mistaken but entirely fabricated, with the Command stating that “DCP Khan Salihu was never kidnapped at any time prior to his demise” and that the story had “no basis in fact whatsoever”.

That denial matters because it goes beyond reputation management. It is also a warning about the speed at which unverified security stories can move through Nigeria’s information ecosystem, especially when they involve the police, death, and alleged criminality. In this case, the Command said the publication caused avoidable pain to the family, colleagues, and the police hierarchy, and demanded that the media outlet concerned withdraw the report and publish a correction and apology.

The police also used the moment to defend the integrity of the late officer’s record. P.M. News reported that the Command described Salihu as a “dedicated, disciplined and highly professional administrator” whose service strengthened the operational efficiency of the Lagos State Police Command. The Eagle Online similarly reported that the Command said he distinguished himself through exemplary leadership, integrity, humility, selfless service and a commitment to public duty.

That language is significant. It suggests the police are not simply correcting a false report but also attempting to preserve the legacy of a senior officer whose death could easily be exploited for sensationalism. The Command’s position, as reported, is that the story was published without proper verification and that this represented a “serious breach” of responsible journalism.

The exact circumstances around Salihu’s final moments, as presented by the police, are straightforward: he felt unwell, was rushed to the hospital, and was confirmed dead by medical personnel. The Command further said it remained committed to combating misinformation and urged the public to rely only on official updates from the Lagos State Police Command.

In a wider security context, the episode exposes a familiar Nigerian fault line. During moments of grief, the absence of immediate verified information often creates a vacuum that rumours rush to fill. Where an unconfirmed claim involves kidnapping, armed gangs or police officers, the consequences can be especially toxic, feeding public fear and eroding trust in institutions already battling suspicion. The Lagos police response is therefore not only a defence of one deceased officer, but also an assertion of control over the narrative at a time when misinformation can spread faster than facts. This is an inference drawn from the police’s statement and the way the claims were framed in the reports.

For now, the official position is clear. DCP Khan Salihu was not kidnapped. He died after a brief illness. And the Lagos State Police Command wants the record set straight, the false report withdrawn, and the public to disregard the fabrication entirely.