The Ogun State Police Command has rejected claims made by singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, that he is mentally unstable and undergoing psychiatric treatment.
Portable’s claim comes after he was declared wanted by the police for allegedly attacking state government officials.
In a video posted on social media, Portable declared himself a “madman” receiving treatment at the Federal Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta. However, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Omolola Odutola, maintained that Portable must surrender himself for investigation.
According to the police, Portable’s alleged violent confrontation with three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development led to his declaration as a wanted person. 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.
Portable’s associates, nine of whom were arrested, allegedly attacked the unarmed officials, who sustained injuries but managed to escape and report the incident. The singer, however, fled the scene and has been in hiding since.
The police have insisted that Portable’s claim of mental illness will not deter them from pursuing justice. With a court order in place, Portable is expected to either surrender to the police or face an intensified manhunt.
