Seun Kuti in hot water: IG orders arrest over assault on police officer

Seun Kuti, the Nigerian afrobeat singer, has broken his silence in the face of a viral video showing him assaulting a Nigerian police officer.

The incident, captured on social media on a bustling Lagos road, revealed Seun Kuti slapping an unidentified policeman. Outraged by the footage, Nigerians called for the singer’s arrest, arguing that he had no right to take the law into his own hands.

In a defiant response on his Instagram stories, Seun Kuti revealed that the police officer had allegedly threatened the lives of both himself and his family, providing a motive for his forceful reaction. He declared that he possessed evidence to substantiate his claims but had chosen not to press charges against the officer. Seun Kuti further warned those calling for his arrest to mind their own business, asserting his determination to protect the officer from losing his job.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, issued an order for the arrest of Seun Kuti, citing the alleged assault of a police officer in Lagos. The IG also directed a swift and thorough investigation into the incident, promising prosecution if warranted. The musician had accused the officer in question of attempting to murder him and his family, as disclosed in a social media post.

Speaking on the matter, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adéjọbí, confirmed the IG’s directive, emphasizing the commitment to ensuring that acts of contempt or disdain towards symbols of authority would not be tolerated. Adéjọbí assured Nigerians that offenders would be held accountable for such despicable crimes.

Seun Kuti, in an Instagram post obtained by the correspondent, acknowledged that the police officer had offered an apology for the alleged attempt on his and his family’s lives. While Seun Kuti claimed to possess evidence supporting his claims, he asserted that he was not seeking attention or fame. He affirmed his decision not to press charges, urging others to focus on their own concerns and safeguard the officer’s job.

However, in light of the IG’s order for his arrest, Seun Kuti posted another message on Instagram, welcoming the investigation and expressing his full cooperation. He also offered a prayer to the IG, requesting that the wrongdoer be held accountable.

Efforts by the correspondent to obtain further comments from Seun Kuti were unsuccessful, as the musician did not respond to phone calls or text messages.

The incident involving Seun Kuti and the police officer has ignited a larger conversation about the strained relationship between law enforcement and citizens in Nigeria. It highlights the need for comprehensive police reform and increased accountability. The case also underscores the urgent need to address the underlying issues that contribute to such confrontations, including abuse of power and the lack of trust between citizens and the police.