The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, who was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.
In the video that emerged on Saturday, Kuti was seen pointing to the unidentified police officer before proceeding to push and slap the officer.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a press statement Saturday in Abuja, said: “The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
“IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has called for prompt prosecution of Seun to act as a deterrent to others of his ilk.
The Commission in a press statement by the spokesperson, Iyke Ani, Sunday in Abuja, said: “The PSC wishes to condemn in strong terms the assault of a Police Officer in uniform and on official duty in Lagos by one Seun Kuti.
“The Commission, however, commends the Inspector General of Police, Baba Usman, for his prompt action in ordering the arrest and prosecution of Seun who obviously has diminished the sanctity of the symbol of authority of the Nigerian nation.
“The Commission demands that the culprit must be arraigned immediately and that the IGP must ensure that the matter is followed to its logical conclusion to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police as the lead Agency in internal security and in its ability to maintain law and order and also protect lives and properties.
“Chairman of the Commission, IGP Solomon Arase (retd) said no matter the offence the Police Officer committed, nobody, including Seun Kuti has the right to assault a Policeman in uniform and on official duty.
“Dr. Arase frowned at the effrontery of Seun to slap the Police Officer, insisting that Nigeria is not a Hobbesian state where might is right.
“We must as a civilised people explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behavior in assaulting the symbol of authority in our country.”