The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Sunday commended Police Inspector General Usman Baba for ordering the arrest of Seun Kuti for attacking an on-duty police officer.
In a video that has gone viral, the “Afrobeat” musician who wore a red shirt over white pants is seen slapping a police officer who was standing next to a police van.
While slapping the policeman, he repeatedly asked him, “Are you crazy?” (you’re crazy”?).
PSC Chairman Solomon Arase said in a statement that regardless of the offence, no one, including Kuti, had the right to assault a police officer on official duty.
Arase frowned at Kuti’s nerve to slap the policeman, insisting that Nigeria is not a Hobbesian state where might is reason.
“We must, as civilized people, explore the established channels of complaints against alleged violations by law enforcement officials instead of this rude behavior of assaulting the country’s symbol of authority.
“We look forward to the early prosecution of Kuti so that he will act as a deterrent to others,” Arase was quoted as saying in the statement issued by PSC spokesman Ikechukwu Ani.
Mr. Ani added that Mr. Arase praised the police officer for refusing to be provoked by his attacker’s action, which he said would have been fatal.
Arase also said it was unfortunate that the incident occurred when the Police leadership was dealing with officers harassing, intimidating or assaulting civilians.
He stressed that it was worrying that police officers have now become victims of the actions of some uneducated elites.
He urged the police to use this incident to set an example that this would never be tolerated in Nigeria, a country governed by laws, rules and regulations.
The PSC Chairman noted that the surge in public opinion against the abuser’s conduct was indicative of the love and respect Nigerians had for law enforcement officers.
He said this underscores the need for all police officers to continually respect the rights of the public and to be professional in all their conduct.
He added that the immediate order to arrest and prosecute Kuti, who had diminished the sanctity of the Nigerian nation’s symbol of authority, was a welcome development.
“The Commission demands that the culprit be prosecuted immediately, and the police must ensure that the matter is pursued to its logical conclusion in order to restore public confidence in the Nigerian Police.
“The lawsuit is in recognition of the fact that the police are the lead agency for internal security.
“His ability to maintain law and order and to protect life and property must be considered sacrosanct,” Ani also quoted Arase as saying.
(YAYA)