The internet was set agog after singer, Oluseun Anikulapo Kuti, better known as Seun Kuti, the youngest son of the legendary Afrobeats pioneer, Fela Kuti violently confronted a police officer.
In a video making rounds on social media, Seun Kuti was seen pushing and slapping a policeman on Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State today, 13th May.
It is unclear what led to the confrontation between Seun Kuti and the police officer, however, the latter appeared calm.
Netizens on social media have questioned the singer’s action while inquiring about the circumstances that led to their confrontation.
Afrobeat Singer, Seun Kuti pushes and slapped a Police officer he was confronting on the Third Mainland bridge pic.twitter.com/R1hB6vyljJ
— GistReel.Com (@GistReel) May 13, 2023
Seun Kuti defends his action of assaulting a Police Officer
While Seun Kuti‘s action became a major topic of discussion, he took to Instagram to defend his actions.
Seun Kuti clarified the incident, stating that the officer attempted to harm him and his family without disclosing the specific reason for the altercation.
Interestingly, the father of one advised Nigerians to refrain from meddling in the matter to avoid the policeman losing his job as he possesses a piece of evidence to back his claim.
He wrote:
“He tried to kill me and my family. I have the proof butt 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.”
IGP orders immediate arrest of Seun Kuti following assault on a Police Officer
It is a known fact that Seun Kuti’s action will trigger the actions of the highest authority in the Nigerian Police Force.
Well, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Idowu Owohunwa to arrest Seun Kuti with immediate effect.
According to a statement released by CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, IGP equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.
Read the statement below…
“SERIOUS ASSAULT ON POLICE OFFICER: IGP CONDEMNS ACT, ORDERS IMMEDIATE ARREST OF SEUN KUTI
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR 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 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.
CSP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra,
Force Public Relations Officer,
Force Headquarters,
Abuja.
13th May, 2023.”
Seun’s father, Fela Anikulapo Kuti jailed by the Nigerian government
The unsettling and vocal nature of Seun Kuti can be traced back to his father, the legendary singer-composer and political activist, Fela Aníkúlápó Kuti also known as ‘Abami Eda’.
Fela is widely regarded as the pioneer of Afrobeat (a Nigerian music genre that combines West African music with American funk and jazz).
Fela was the son of Nigerian women’s rights activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.
After early experiences abroad, he and his band Africa 70 (featuring drummer and musical director Tony Allen) shot to stardom in Nigeria during the 1970s, during which he was an outspoken critic and target of Nigeria’s military juntas.
Interestingly, in 1970, Fela founded the Kalakuta Republic commune (a compound that housed his family, band members, and recording studio) which declared itself independent from military rule. It was however destroyed in a raid by the military in 1978.
Having criticized the government through his music which still has international relevance to date.
According to history, Fela was arrested 200 hundred times by different regimes. However, he was jailed for 20 months in 1984 by the government of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, for having in his possession the sum of £1,600 pounds meant for his entire band of 26 persons, at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, on their way to Europe for a scheduled concert.
Upon his release, the musician was as defiant and bold as ever. Sharing his prison experience, he said it didn’t change his life but developed his way of thinking.
Fela died on 2nd August 1997 in Lagos.
Do you think Seun Kuti who has been vocal and criticized the government just like his father serve a jail term for slapping a police officer?