Why we declared Portable wanted — Police

The Ogun State Police Command has revealed that controversial singer Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was declared wanted for allegedly leading a violent attack on government officials carrying out their lawful duties.

The police command made this known in a statement released on X in the early hours of Tuesday by the spokesperson of the state police command, Omolola Odutola.

According to the statement, the declaration followed an attack by Portable and his thugs on three officials from the Ogun State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, Ota Zonal Office—TPL Onabanjo Abidemi, TPL Raymond Lateef, and TPL Ridwan Oyero Akinlesi—who were conducting an enforcement exercise at Oke-Osa, Tigbo Ilu Ota.

Odutola stated that the officials encountered an elderly man, later identified as Portable’s father at Odogwu Bar in the area. Upon introducing themselves and requesting the approved building plan, they were informed that Portable was unavailable.

“However, moments later, Portable, armed with a firearm and other weapons, and led a gang of nine thugs in a violent attack on the unarmed officials,” Odutola said.

She added that the enforcement officers sustained injuries but managed to escape and reported the incident to the Ota Area Command, which escalated the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department. 

While nine accomplices were arrested, Portable reportedly fled and has since gone into hiding.

Odutola stated that multiple invitations were sent to Portable, requesting his presence at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters in Abeokuta, but he ignored them without cause or legal representation.

“Following his repeated evasion, the Ogun State Police Command has obtained a valid court order declaring him wanted,” she said.

The police urged the public to provide any information that could lead to Portable’s arrest, warning that anyone found aiding or harbouring him would face legal consequences.

Meanwhile, two weeks ago, nine of Portable’s associates were arraigned before a Magistrate Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, on a five-count charge, including felony, assault, and conduct likely to cause a breach of peace. 

The defendants, who allegedly attacked officers of the Ota Zonal Planning Office armed with cutlasses and guns, pleaded not guilty to the charges.