Wanted Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has turned himself in at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
It will be recalled that the Ogun State Police Command dismissed claims that he is undergoing psychiatric treatment.
The police insisted the singer remains wanted in connection with an alleged assault on government officials.
In a video posted on Tuesday, Portable declared that he is a “madman” receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta.
He made the statement while pleading with Nigerians and the Ogun State Government following the police’s declaration of him as a wanted individual.
However, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Omolola Odutola, maintained that Portable must surrender himself for investigation.
“Portable will come and submit himself. He cannot be in the psychiatric hospital in Aro. Everybody knows he is a wanted person. If he is in any facility, the police must be informed. He is a wanted man,” Odutola said.
The police declared Portable wanted after an alleged violent confrontation with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office. The affected officials—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—were reportedly attacked during an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota, Ogun State.
While nine of Portable’s associates were arrested, the singer reportedly fled the scene and has been in hiding since.
The police revealed that multiple invitations were sent to Portable, requesting his appearance at the command’s headquarters.
But rather than reporting at the Ogun State Police Command, the singer turned himself in at the SCID, Lagos.
Confirming the development, spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, said: “Portable just turned himself in at the SCID, Yaba. We have contacted the Ogun State Police Command to come pick him up.” (Guardian)