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…Sowore cautions IGP over order to arrest Seun Kuti for assaulting police officer

Social media users on Saturday expressed outrage at the action of a popular singer, Seun Kuti, who was filmed assaulting a policeman on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos State.

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While some expressed disappointment at Kuti’s action, others asked that the artiste be sanctioned.

A 12-second video clip which went viral on Saturday showed Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing a policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van.

He then proceeded to slap the cop, as he shouted, “You dey crase, you dey mad?”

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A motorist, who filmed the incident from his car, was heard saying, “Omo na Kuti o. Na better news be this o.”

Reacting to the video, a tweep @usmanlade, wrote, “Seun Kuti can’t escape this sha. He don buy market.”

A popular tweep, @PoojaMedia, said Kuti had no right to assault the officer, adding that he was looking forward to seeing the police handle the case.

He wrote, “You have no right to slap a police officer though. I will love to see how the police handle the case of Seun Kuti and slapping a uniform man.”

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On Instagram @oyin_ayobam wrote, “Let justice be served. Control your anger. Respect the uniform. We want a better country it starts from us.”

Another Instagram user, @tonia.gram_ wrote, “What is wrong is wrong. Irrespective of how police behave most times, I won’t justify what Seun did. He don enter trap.”

Kuti, in a reaction to the viral video on his Instagram page @BigbirdKuti, said the policeman made an attempt on his life and his family.

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He wrote, “He tried to kill me and my family, I have the proof but I no dey chase clout. He has apologised and I have agreed not to press charges. Make una mind una business, make the poor guy no lose him job.”

However, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, ordered the immediate arrest of Kuti, who is the youngest son of Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The IG gave the order in a statement on Saturday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The statement read, “The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, who was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.

“The IG has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly,” the statement read.

Adejobi also quoted the IG as assuring Nigerians that the act of “contempt/disdain for symbols of authority” would not be tolerated, while “offenders of such hideous crimes will surely be brought to book.”

Attempts by our correspondents to hear from Kuti on the incident proved abortive, as he did not take his calls which rang out several times.

However, Kuti, while reacting to the order for his arrest on Instagram, promised to cooperate with the police authorities.

He said whoever was wrong should be punished.

Sowore cautions IGP over order to arrest Seun Kuti for assaulting police officer

The presidential candidate of the All Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, has cautioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba-Alkali over an order to arrest Afrobeats prodigy, Seun Kuti following a viral video where he was seen assaulting a police officer.

Reacting to the incident in a statement issued on Saturday night by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adéjọbí, the IGP ordered the arrest of the singer and also ordered a full investigation into the causes of the incident and immediate prosecution of the artiste.

However, Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, in a tweet on Sunday morning, defended Seun’s action and told the IGP that he must caution police officers not to take laws into their hands while dealing with members of the public.

“@PoliceNG declared wanted @seunkuti, a scion of late Afrobeat king, #FelaAnikulapoKuti over an altercation between a police contingent that rammed into him and his family on the 3rd Mainland bridge in Lagos earlier today.

“I am aware that @seunkuti and his attorneys have agreed to help the @policeng in an effort to unravel circumstances that led to the altercations.

“It must be noted that that while these conversations are ongoing for a full cooperation with the police, officers of the @PoliceNG including the Inspector General of Police must not engage in extra judicial action(s) like they are known for in settling disputes.

“Seun Kuti has agreed to cooperate fully with @policeng as soon as possible. ##Revolutionnow,” he wrote.

Punch/Ripples