Warning troubled dictator after daughter goes missing (4,3)
I believe the answer is:
riot act
'warning' is the definition.
(the Riot Act was read as a warning)
I can't explain the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for riot act that I've seen before include "Citator of law concerning public affray" , "measure to keep order" , "Statute against rowdy behaviour" , "It's read as a warning to disperse" , "It's read in the face of disturbances" .)