….Outcry Spreads Across Social Media, News Outlets…
By Adesakin Adefemi
The Ogun State Police Command has formally opened an internal probe into the disturbing footage that shows Nigerian Zazu crooner Habeeb Okikiola better known as Portable being physically assaulted while in custody.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi confirmed on Sunday that the video, which has gone viral across X (formerly Twitter), Instagram reels and WhatsApp status updates, is “unacceptable and inconsistent with the Nigeria Police Force’s standards of conduct.” He assured the public that the matter is being treated with utmost seriousness and that a dedicated investigation team has already been assembled to examine the actions of the officers involved.
Portable’s arrest stemmed from an alleged physical altercation with Omobolarinde Akinyanju popularly called Ashabi Simple one of his baby mamas and mother of one of his children.
According to eyewitness accounts and police reports, the dispute began on Jan. 1, 2026, when Ashabi visited his bar in Ogun State; a heated argument over her marital status quickly escalated into a violent confrontation, prompting law enforcement to intervene and detain the singer for questioning.
The now‑viral video shows the handcuffed musician sitting shirtless on a couch inside a police holding room, visibly distraught and crying, while several officers appear to strike him repeatedly an image that has ignited widespread outrage on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForPortable and #PoliceBrutality trending for hours.
Prominent human‑rights groups, including the Nigerian Civil Liberties Organisation (NCL) and Amnesty International Nigeria, have condemned the footage as “a blatant violation of the right to dignity and freedom from torture,” urging the Inspector‑General of Police to intervene and ensure accountability.
In response, DSP Babaseyi reiterated that the Ogun Command does not condone the filming or public display of suspects, noting that such exposure can compromise both the safety of detainees and the integrity of ongoing investigations. “We don’t condone videoing suspects.
We don’t even put suspects’ faces out. No matter who the suspect is, nobody should be treated in such a manner,” he said, calling on citizens to report misconduct through official channels rather than resort to unauthorized recordings.
The police spokesperson also confirmed that any officer found guilty of excessive force or abuse of authority will face full disciplinary and legal consequences including suspension, dismissal, and possible criminal charges. “The investigation is already in motion, and the officers involved have been identified and placed on administrative leave pending the outcome,” Babaseyi added, pledging transparency and timely updates to the public.
Media coverage across the country has been extensive, with both print and digital outlets giving the story front‑page treatment. Editorials are demanding swift justice and reminding law‑enforcement agencies that even lawful arrests must never justify degrading treatment.
Legal analysts note that while the Police Act permits reasonable force to subdue suspects, the use of beatings, especially after handcuffing, constitutes a clear breach of both domestic law and international human‑rights standards.
While Portable remains in custody pending further legal proceedings over the alleged assault on Ashabi Simple, his legal team has indicated plans to file a formal complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and seek judicial review of his detention conditions.
Meanwhile, the police’s swift condemnation and promised investigation are being viewed as a positive step toward curbing misconduct, though many activists warn that without real consequences for errant officers, such promises risk becoming empty rhetoric.
In the court of public opinion, the case has already become a litmus test for police reform in Nigeria a reminder that the rule of law must apply not only to the accused, but also to those sworn to uphold it.
