A police constable serving with the Borno State Police Command, Mohammed Alhaji Muhammad, has returned ₦2.6 million that was mistakenly transferred into his bank account, citing his desire to counter negative public perceptions about the Nigeria Police Force.
The development was confirmed on Monday by the spokesperson of the Borno State Police Command, ASP Nahum Daso, who disclosed the details while speaking with journalists in Maiduguri.
The constable’s action first came to public attention after a Facebook user, Bello Jafar, publicly praised him for what he described as an uncommon display of honesty and integrity.
“I would like to formally express my appreciation for Mohammad Alhaji Muhammad, a loyal customer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and a police officer of exceptional integrity,” Jafar wrote.
According to him, the police officer received the money in error from a Moniepoint customer but immediately took steps to ensure it was returned to the rightful owner.
Confirming the incident, Daso said the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajeed, invited the constable for a meeting after the matter came to light.
He explained that Muhammad, who serves in the insurance office of the Borno State Police Command, received the credit alert last Thursday and instantly realised he was not expecting any such payment.
“When he received the alert on his phone last Thursday, he knew he was not expecting any particular money,” Daso said.
“The next day, Friday, first thing in the morning, he sought permission and went to his bank to report that a certain amount of money was sent to him in error. He requested that the bank do the needful.”
The police spokesperson added that the bank traced the transaction to a UBA branch in Sokoto State and contacted the branch manager. Muhammad was subsequently issued a consent form, authorising the reversal of the funds to the rightful owner.
Daso further revealed that during his meeting with the commissioner on Monday, the constable explained that his action was guided by discipline and professional ethics.
“When asked about his motivation, he said he is a policeman and understands the negative notions many people hold about the police,” Daso said. “That was why he refused to keep the money. Discipline is part of what they are taught in police colleges.”
The incident has since attracted widespread commendation on social media, with many Nigerians describing the act as a shining example of honesty and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force.
