Seun Kuti arrested for slapping police officer
Seun Kuti, the Afrobeat singer, has been arrested by the Nigerian police for assaulting one of its officers.
The singer was apprehended in the early hours of Monday.
Seun’s arrest came after he was filmed assaulting a police officer on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos.
A short video clip went viral on Saturday showing Kuti, who wore a red shirt and white pair of trousers, pushing a policeman, who stood beside a Toyota Hilux police van.
The singer then proceeded to slap the officer while shouting, “You dey crase, you dey mad?”
The footage stirred a chorus of condemnation on social media with users expressing disappointment at Kuti’s actions.
The development also prompted Usman Alkali Baba, the inspector-general of police (IGP), to order the arrest of Seun, who is the son of Fela Kuti, the late Afrobeat legend.
In a statement, Benjamin Hundeyin, Lagos police PRO, said the IGP directed that a probe be carried out to ascertain the facts of the case.
“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,” Hundeyin said.
“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.”
