Nigerian musician Seun Kuti has turned himself in to assist with the investigation hours after a video of him assaulting a member of the Nigerian Police Force went viral.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Public Relations Officer of the NPF, reported on his Twitter account on Monday that Kuti had surrendered and been placed under arrest. The tweet stated, “Afrobeat musician Seun Kuti surrendered himself in at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja this morning alongside his attorney and a family representative. He has been arrested in accordance with the law. The Command appreciates the public’s concern and assures that the ongoing investigation will be thorough, transparent, and conducted professionally, and that justice will be served to all parties.”
In a video that went viral, Seun was seen arguing fiercely with a police officer who was standing in the middle of a busy road, and he hit the officer during the argument. Both online and offline responses to the occurrence have been contradictory.
Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), immediately ordered Seun’s arrest after the footage went viral. Muyiwa Adejobi, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, said in a statement, “The IGP has also ordered a prompt and thorough investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault, as well as the prosecution of the suspect.” IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians, “Attacks on symbols of authority will not be tolerated, and perpetrators of such heinous crimes will be brought to justice.”
On Monday, Kuti visited the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, in fulfilment of his promise to assist the police in their investigation of the incident.
