The Case of the Wanted Singer: Portable’s Evasion and the Assault on Government Officials
The Ogun State Police Command has officially declared Nigerian singer Habeeb Okikiola, widely recognized by his stage name "Portable," a wanted individual. This declaration stems from a violent incident involving an attack on government officials carrying out their legitimate duties. The incident, which occurred on February 5, 2025, unfolded during an enforcement exercise conducted by three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota. The officials, TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi, were at Odogwu Bar, reportedly owned by Portable’s father, to inquire about the approved building plan for the establishment.
Upon their arrival and identification, the officials encountered Portable’s father, who informed them that his son was unavailable at that moment. However, the situation took a violent turn when Portable, accompanied by a group of nine alleged thugs and armed with various weapons, including a firearm, arrived at the scene. The singer and his accomplices launched an aggressive assault on the unarmed government officials, resulting in bodily injuries to the officers. Despite the attack, the enforcement team managed to escape and promptly reported the incident to the Ota Area Command. The case was subsequently escalated to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and action.
In the aftermath of the attack, law enforcement authorities apprehended nine individuals believed to be accomplices of Portable. However, the singer himself evaded capture and has been in hiding since the incident. The police made multiple attempts to engage with Portable, issuing formal invitations requesting his presence at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. Despite these efforts, Portable consistently disregarded the invitations, failing to appear or offer any legal representation.
Given his persistent evasion of law enforcement, the Ogun State Police Command secured a court order declaring Portable a wanted individual. The police have appealed to the public for assistance in locating and apprehending the singer. They urged anyone with information regarding Portable’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or contact the Ogun State Police Command through their established communication channels. The police emphasized that anyone found harboring or aiding the fugitive would face legal consequences.
Prior to the official declaration of Portable as wanted, the police had already taken legal action against nine individuals believed to be his associates. Two weeks before the "wanted" declaration, these nine individuals were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta. They faced a five-count charge relating to their alleged involvement in the assault on the government officials. The charges included felony, assault and restriction, being armed with cutlasses and guns, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, and intent to kill. However, during the court proceedings, all nine defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
This case underscores the serious nature of the assault on government officials carrying out their duties. The police investigation seeks to determine the extent of Portable’s involvement in the incident and hold him accountable for his actions. The court order declaring him wanted demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement authorities to pursue justice and ensure public safety. The subsequent arraignment of his alleged accomplices further emphasizes the seriousness with which the authorities are treating this case. The ongoing investigation and legal proceedings will continue to unfold as the authorities work to gather evidence and bring all those responsible to justice. The public’s cooperation in providing any information related to Portable’s whereabouts is crucial for the swift resolution of this case.
