Police declare Portable wanted for violent attack on Ogun officials
The Ogun State Police Command has issued a warrant for the arrest of controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, following his involvement in a violent attack on government officials.
The incident reportedly occurred on Wednesday, February 5, during an enforcement exercise by Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development officials.
The three Ota Zonal Office officials, TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi, were reportedly carrying out their regular enforcement duties at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, when they came across an elderly man who was later identified as Portable’s father, according to a statement released by state police spokesperson Omolola Odutola.
Odutola claims that when the officials requested the site’s approved building plan, Portable’s father informed them that his son was unavailable. However, a short while later, Portable showed up at the scene brandishing a gun and leading a gang of nine thugs in a violent assault on the unarmed officials.
“The enforcement officers sustained various bodily injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which subsequently escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further action,” Odutola added.
The policewoman also noted that the “nine accomplices were arrested, but Portable fled the scene and has since gone into hiding.”
Odutola also disclosed that multiple formal invitations were sent to him, requesting his presence at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, which he deliberately ignored without cause or legal representation.
“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” she added.
Odutola urged members of the public to assist law enforcement by providing any information that may lead to Portable’s arrest.
She also warned that “anyone found aiding or harbouring the suspect will face legal consequences.”
“For any relevant information, kindly report to the nearest police station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through its official communication channels or police public relations department.”
Nine of the popular singer’s associates were charged by police two weeks ago in a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, with assaulting officers from the Ota Zonal Planning office of the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development.
The defendants, who are between the ages of 19 and 28, are charged with intent to kill, assault, felony, and armed conduct. Those arraigned were Nurudeen Warris, 21; Adetola Alashe, 25; Samuel Adeleke, 28; Oluwaseun Ayenuwa, 19; Oluwapelumi Adeosun, 20; Gospel Kanu, 20; Precious Ohiegebo, 19; Ifeoluwa Babatunde, 27; and Fatimo Muhammed, 26.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
