The Ogun State Police Command has initiated a formal investigation into a video circulating widely on social media that appears to show Nigerian music star Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, being assaulted while in police detention, a development that has sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct in Nigeria.
The singer, who shot to fame with hits like “Zazu”, was captured in a now-viral clip seated in what appears to be a police holding area, shirtless, handcuffed and visibly distressed as individuals believed to be police officers engage with him. The footage, which surfaced on platforms such as X and Instagram, rekindled debates about police brutality and the treatment of suspects in custody.
In response to questions from journalists, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Ogun State Command, confirmed that Portable remains in the custody of the Command. While the details surrounding his detention were described as a “different issue,” Babaseyi was forthright in condemning the scenes depicted in the video.
“Yes, he was arrested, and he is with us, but that is a different issue. What is important is the assault that was happening at the station. We don’t condone it,” the police spokesman said, emphasising that suspects should never be treated in such a manner regardless of the allegations they face.
Babaseyi also stressed that recording or publicly sharing footage of suspects in custody is strictly prohibited under police protocols, warning that such actions not only compromise the integrity of investigations but can also put individuals, including the suspects, at risk.
The Ogun State Police Command confirmed that an internal investigation has already begun to determine the circumstances that led to the viral footage. Babaseyi assured the public that any officer found to be culpable will be dealt with in accordance with the law and police disciplinary procedures.
“The investigation is ongoing, and the officers involved, if found culpable, will be sent to the appropriate authorities. That process has already started,” he said.
Portable’s detention follows allegations made by Omobolarinde Akinyanju, popularly known as Ashabi Simple, one of the singer’s baby mamas and the mother of one of his children, who accused him of physical assault during a confrontation at his bar in Ogun State on January 1, 2026.
According to early reports, the disagreement began after Akinyanju asked Portable to recognise her as his wife, a request he rebuffed, asserting that only his legally wedded wife, Bewaji, held that status. The situation reportedly escalated into physical violence, with Akinyanju alleging that Portable slapped her, beat her, seized phones and even threatened her and her siblings with an axe.
In response to these claims, Portable posted a lengthy video on his Instagram page denouncing the lawsuit and accusing Akinyanju of infidelity, heightening public interest in the case and sparking widespread discussion online.
The video’s spread online has reignited longstanding concerns over police treatment of detainees in Nigeria, particularly when footage goes viral without clear context. Civil society advocates and rights groups have repeatedly called for improved standards of care in custody and greater accountability for officers implicated in misconduct.
Legal experts note that public dissemination of footage involving suspects not only raises privacy questions but can also undermine fair trial rights and investigative processes.
As the Ogun State Police Command continues its internal review, observers say the outcome of the probe may set an important precedent for how law enforcement handles viral content depicting alleged abuses, and whether such materials prompt meaningful institutional accountability.
